Winter Preparations, Critical Care
The winter forecast projected a warm and dry winter, which is good news in terms of power lines, poles, and electric power system resiliency, though regrettably not such good news for our farmers and ranchers, many of whom are still praying for rain. The La Niña influence on the weather has been slow to materialize, at least as of this writing. Rio Grande Electric Cooperative (RGEC) considers weather forecasts and many other factors in being proactive when it comes to the electric distribution system. There could still be some icy weather ahead, and if it happens, the Co-op is as prepared as possible. Sufficient stores of materials are strategically placed throughout RGEC’s service territory to be accessible in the event of system damage. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to actually prevent damage from occurring. Equipment exposed to the elements is always going to be subjected to the whims of Mother Nature.
Though we do not anticipate any major weather events to occur this winter season, I would like to remind all members to make sure the necessary precautions are taken to be prepared in the event any service interruptions occur. 1 aspect of this preparation is to make sure that members who rely on any electrically-powered medical or critical care equipment are registered, to ensure linemen are aware of needs in emergency situations. Everyone’s power is important, but when faced with a disastrous situation affecting the delivery of electricity, we are especially cognizant of those in critical care situations. Our Emergency Restoration Plan is geared to prioritize response for restoration and communicate with critical care needs members, if possible. Members need to be proactive for the sake of their own health and safety, as well. Backup power for medical equipment and arranging for someone who can assist you in the event you are unable to care for yourself are just 2 ways you can be proactive.
Additionally, members using backup generators should coordinate and report interconnections with the Cooperative by applying for operation of customer-owned generation. This helps RGEC determine the required equipment configuration for the customer interface. The Cooperative provides a manual titled “Consumer Requirements for Distributed Generation Installation and Interconnection” on the RGEC website.
Please take a minute to read Important Information About Load Shedding on the Cooperative’s website, as referenced on the next page. Utility providers in the ERCOT service area are required to provide periodic updates regarding procedures for load-shedding events and critical loads. Though we do not anticipate any need for load shedding, this document will help you to understand how you could be impacted, should the need arise.
Rio Grande will be investing financial and labor resources into system improvement projects and new construction. The approved 2025 budget allocates over $32 million for system improvement projects and approximately $5.8 million for new construction. This investment is aimed at enhancing system reliability, performance, and continuous improvement. Refining processes and systems through data-driven changes are expected to lead to improved performance and overall efficiency.
With the number and scope of projects scheduled throughout RGEC’s service territory for this year, we are confident in our ability to meet and exceed our goals. We look forward to continuing our efforts to provide reliable and efficient services to our members.