AEP Texas asks residents throughout its Rio Grande Valley service territory to practice conservation
measures from August 1 through 14 while a two-mile stretch of 138-kV transmission line is rebuilt. The
section of transmission line was damaged during Hurricane Hanna.
Hurricane Hanna severely damaged a two-mile stretch of a 138-kV transmission line situated in on the
west side of McColl Road between University Drive and Monte Cristo Road in Edinburg. Until a new
line section is constructed, AEP Texas is working with the Electric Reliability of Texas (ERCOT) to
mitigate the situation and continue serving area customers. However, these mitigations still leave the
area’s electric grid in a strained situation.
AEP Texas is launching an ongoing conservation throughout its service territory in the Rio Grande
Valley during the August 1-14 construction of the transmission line segment. By voluntarily taking this
action, AEP Texas hopes to reduce the chance that ERCOT will have to order controlled rotating
outages in order to protect the electric grid from long-term damage.
Steps to help reduce electricity use:
• Turn thermostat up 2 to 3 degrees during the peak hours of 2 to 8 p.m.
• Set programmable thermostats to higher temperatures when no one is home.
• Use fans to feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler.
• Limit use of large appliances (i.e., dishwasher, washer, dryer, etc.) to morning or after 8 p.m.
• If you cook indoors from 2 to 8 p.m., use a microwave or slow cooker.
• Close blinds and drapes during late afternoon.
• Schedule pool pumps to run in the early morning or overnight hours; shut off between 2 and 8
p.m
If your power does go out, turn off your air conditioner, water heater and large appliances to enable
smoother service restoration.
AEP Texas, a unit of American Electric Power, delivers electricity to over a million, businesses and
industries in south and west Texas. AEP Texas provides regulated energy delivery service to
consumers, regardless which Retail Electric Provider they choose. The region headquarters is in
Corpus Christi.
