When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use increases, which can create demand spikes, placing significant strain on the electric grid.
At Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, we work closely with our generation and transmission provider, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation (Sunflower), headquartered in Hays, to plan for the resources and infrastructure needed to keep your lights on and your home or business running. While this local partnership is essential, it is important to remember we’re also part of a much larger regional network. The electric grid is an interconnected system that stretches well beyond Prairie Land and Sunflower.
This system includes a diverse mix of energy resources, some of which can vary in output depending on weather and other factors. This variability adds complexity to maintaining a stable power supply, especially during periods of extreme demand.
During winter months, when electricity use spikes nationwide, demand can occasionally exceed
available supply, particularly during prolonged cold snaps. In these rare situations, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which operates the regional grid across 14 states including Kansas, may issue an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA).
These alerts ask participating utilities to encourage consumers to reduce electricity use. If conditions worsen, SPP may direct utilities to implement temporary controlled outages — often
referred to as rolling blackouts — to help stabilize the grid and avoid wider disruptions.
Should this happen, we will keep you informed by posting EEA updates on our website and Facebook page, and when appropriate, by calling affected members using the current phone number on file.
To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, Prairie Land and Sunflower partner to take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. Through regular system maintenance and investment in grid modernization, we strive to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort — especially during extreme cold — and that includes you.
To help keep the power flowing to your home and your neighbors, here are a few simple ways you can reduce strain on the grid:

1. SET YOUR THERMOSTAT TO THE LOWEST COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE AND LOWER IT WHEN YOU’RE AWAY. The greater the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the harder your heating system works. PRO TIP: If you use a programmable thermostat, set it to automatically lower the temperature while you’re asleep or away from home.
2. SEAL AIR LEAKS AROUND WINDOWS AND DOORS WITH CAULK OR WEATHERSTRIPPING TO KEEP WARM AIR INSIDE. PRO TIP: Adding inexpensive door sweeps to exterior doors can significantly cut down on drafts.
3. AVOID RUNNING TOO MANY MAJOR APPLIANCES AT THE SAME TIME. Stagger use of dishwashers, ovens, and dryers throughout the day to ease peak demand. PRO TIP: Try starting the dishwasher before bedtime.
4. USE CEILING FANS TO BOOST COMFORT. They can help circulate warm air throughout the room without raising the thermostat. PRO TIP: In winter, set fan blades to rotate clockwise at a low speed to help circulate the warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling, bringing it back down into your living space.
5. USE YOUR WINDOWS TO STAY WARM. PRO TIP: Open your curtains during the day to let in natural sunlight, which helps warm your home, and then close them at night to keep the heat from escaping.
6. COOK SMART. Smaller appliances like slow cookers, toaster ovens, and air fryers use less electricity than a full-size oven. PRO TIP: Batch-cooking meals on one or two days a week reduces how often you run your oven or stove. Understanding how extreme cold and today’s evolving energy mix impact the grid is key to keeping our system strong and reliable. By using energy wisely, you not only help reduce stress on the grid but also lower your electric bills and support power reliability in our community all winter long.