The Tennessee Valley Authority contacted Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, Benton County Energy, Paris Board of Utilities, Union City Energy Authority and other area energy companies this morning and required them to begin rolling blackouts at 4:51 AM. They must interrupt power for 15 minutes in an area, restore power and interrupt power to another area. We must continue rotating blackouts until TVA informs us that we can stop.
Reducing energy demand in a systematic, planned way helps to keep the power grid stable and prevents longer, widespread power outages.
TVA also has requested that consumers voluntarily reduce electricity use. During the times when you are not impacted by a rotating blackout, we ask that you take steps to conserve.
Gibson officials said, “We recognize that power interruptions are inconvenient, especially during cold weather and the holiday season. We apologize and ask for your continued patience and understanding.”