Electrical power companies are not the only energy suppliers dealing with increased demand during the current stretch of cold temperatures and winter weather bearing down on Southeast Missouri and the Midwest.
Heating gas suppliers, both propane and natural gas, are also feeling the crunch.
White Propane in Poplar Bluff began limiting its deliveries to 150 gallons on Monday because of that day’s winter storm making it hard — if not impossible — for its suppliers to deliver propane.
“We don’t know when we’re getting another load,” said Rick White, owner of White Propane. “It’s just day by day. It’s serious, no doubt about it. … It’s supposed to warm up this weekend and I’m ready for it. This is too stressful.”
White said it’s been “several years” since he’s seen a stretch of winter this harsh.
“We’ve had the ice, snow and the zero temperatures (with this),” White said. “People in this area are just not used to that. It’s not typical for around here.”
Meanwhile, Spire Energy has implemented an emergency curtailment plan in their service areas in southwest Missouri (Joplin and Springfield) and is asking customers across Missouri to reduce usage.
To prevent outages in the current wintry weather conditions, Spire is asking customers to turn thermostats as low as they can comfortably tolerate and to minimize the use of natural gas appliances through Wednesday.
“We don’t want to alarm people, but we don’t want to surprise them,” said Scott Carter, Spire Missouri president. “Our operations teams are closely monitoring the situation and we are working around the clock to keep customers safe.”
In addition, Spire is also asking commercial and industrial customers to reduce gas usage at facilities to minimum levels necessary to protect buildings and inventory. This does not apply to hospitals, nursing homes, essential food processors and other human needs applications.
“Working together as a community, we can do our best to keep gas pressure levels up and keep homes warm for everyone,” Carter said.
Spire is asking customers to lower their consumption by doing the following things:
• Turn thermostats down a few degrees;
• Limit use of natural gas fireplaces;
• Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let sunlight warm your home. Close curtains at night to reduce potential incoming cold from any drafty windows;
• Install weather sealing tape, insulating drapes, or shades if windows feel drafty to prevent cold air from seeping in;
• Seal anywhere the home where air can come in. Leaky areas can often be found around pipes that connect to the outside, unfinished spaces behind cupboards, recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and closets.