The Alberta Electrical Systems Operator is once again asking us to cut back on our electricity usage until this cold snap ends.

Yesterday the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) issued an Energy Emergency Alert 1 (EEA) as the cold snap in the province continued, putting a strain on the power system.  

The EEA is an alert system that helps balance the supply and demand for electricity in Alberta and is based on a three-tiered system with zero being normal electricity consumption.

EEA 1 is a situation where supply is still meeting demand but the province may soon start to use its reserves.  If the situation gets to where it's considered an EEA 3, some customers might see temporary power losses until more power can be generated and balance out the supply and demand.

As the Extreme Cold Warning continues in Cochrane and the rest of Alberta, AESO is asking people to reduce their electricity usage for the next several days.  

To do that they advise turning off all unnecessary lights and electrical appliances; minimize use of space heaters; use cold water for washing clothes and only run full loads if possible; cook with your microwave, crockpot or toaster oven rather than with your stove; limit use of ventilation fans; use motion detector lights in storage areas, garages, and outdoors when possible; and work on a laptop instead of a desktop computer.

They also ask that you delay using your dishwasher, washer/dryer, and other major appliances until after the peak consumption hours of 4:00 - 7:00 pm.