Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Austin Utilities developing a plan that includes rolling blackouts in our community?

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) projected the need for increased, non-firm imports and potentially emergency resources to meet the 2022 summer peak demand with warmer-than-normal temperatures forecasted throughout the MISO footprint. The summer peak forecast is 124 GW with 119 GW of projected regularly available generation within MISO.

Austin Utilities routinely uses all the tools in their energy management plan to control city electric load, but if we are called by MISO during a NERC Energy Emergency to further reduce load, we may have no choice but to implement rotating outages in the community, called rolling blackouts. Failure to do so can result in a cascading failure of the electrical grid which potentially damages equipment and can take days or weeks to fully restore electric service.

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What is a rolling blackout?

Rolling blackouts are when utilities restrict electricity to certain geographic areas for a period of time on a rotating basis in order to bring supply and demand into balance. Failure to do so can result in a cascading failure of the electrical grid which potentially damages equipment and can take days or weeks to fully restore electric service.

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Why is Austin Utilities implementing rolling blackouts in our community?

NERC Energy Emergency has been declared. Austin Utilities is responding to a request to reduce electric load. Rolling blackouts are being implemented to preserve the integrity of the bulk electric system. It’s likely this is not just happening in Austin. Every utility in the MISO service region is being asked to curtail.  Failure to do so can result in a cascading failure of the electrical grid which potentially damages equipment and can take days or weeks to fully restore electric service.

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How long will rolling blackouts last?

Austin Utilities will be shutting off electric service to portions of the city for a maximum period of approximately 90 minutes after which time power will be restored to that area while another area of the city will be shut off.  These rotating outages will continue until the emergency has passed.

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Will we get prior notification?

Due to the emergency nature of the situation, MISO may have to jump to immediate rolling blackouts and it is likely you will not get a timely notification. 

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If this is a possibility, what is the likelihood?

MISO and SMMPA have concerns so we are preparing should something happen.

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Is there anything I can do?

Yes, if there is any unnecessary electric load at your home or business, please turn it off or disconnect it to help lower the overall community load. Every little bit helps, and the cumulative results can be substantial.

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How did you decide what customers will be a part of the rolling blackouts?

Austin Utilities did not select specific customers to interrupt. All load shedding is based on feeder circuit locations.

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My friend in Austin did not have any power outages, why?

Austin Utilities targeted circuit feeders that would have the most benefit but least impact on the community, for example medical and emergency services and customers on those circuit feeders may not be affected.

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Why doesn't my central air conditioning work when my power comes back on?

The first thing you should do is check to see if we are running air conditioning load control. Because this is an emergency energy situation, we may need to continue AC load control for the duration of the emergency event even when your power is back on.

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An appliance or equipment at my home or business will not work when power is restored.

Power outages can result from many factors such as severe weather, equipment damage or failure, even a blown fuse at your home. AU is not responsible for appliances or equipment that doesn't work after a power outage.

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