During an energy emergency, customers can reduce stress on infrastructure by conserving energy. This will help you and your community recover more quickly.
- Officials can ask the public to conserve energy, including:
- Cutting back on driving, using public transportation, and telecommuting when possible;
- Refraining from using non-essential lights and appliances, especially during peak hours (typically around 4:00−6:00 p.m.); and
- Lowering thermostat and water heating settings.
- Officials can ask transmission operators to activate demand-response programs in regions where those programs have been established. Under these programs, end-users are compensated to reduce their demand on the system upon notice by the operator.
- Officials may impose restrictions on the hours during which commercial, industrial, public, and school buildings may be open, on lighting levels, on interior temperature, and on the use of display and decorative lighting.
Disclaimer: Because every emergency is different, it is important for your safety that you follow the directives of your state and local emergency management authorities and local utilities. The information provided on DOE's website is intended for general informational purposes only and is not an endorsement of any particular material or service. Before engaging in any activities that could impact utility services such as electricity or natural gas, contact your local utility to ensure that the activities are done safely.
For additional emergency-planning resources, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website, ready.gov. State and local emergency management authorities and local utilities may also provide helpful guidance.