FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Rolling blackouts are rotating outages that are controlled, temporary interruptions of electrical service directed by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) when electricity-generating resources cannot meet the electricity demand in the region. Each electric utility must reduce demand in an amount directed by SPP. Decisions on which areas are affected have to be made within minutes.

BPW is part of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). This is a combined group of power-generating utilities throughout 14 states. BPW is required to respond to SPP’s emergency events and support the system as needed. All utilities in the 14-state coverage area are under similar reduction requirements.

Rotating outages are necessary as a last resort to maintain the reliability of the system. SPP directs rotating outages when electricity-generating resources cannot meet the electricity demand in the region.

The duration and frequency of outages depend on the severity of the event and the directions provided by SPP. Rolling blackouts typically last between 30-60 minutes, maybe longer, before moving to another area. This can happen more than once in the next 36 hours.

No, these outages can happen at any time, day or night, when electricity-generating resources cannot meet the electricity demand in the region.

Although outages in our service area are infrequent, if you have a special medical need, be sure to make arrangements ahead of time for a battery backup or generator for your medical equipment, as outages can happen from time to time, most often caused by storms. If you encounter a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.

Updates will be provided on the City of Beatrice's Social Media pages, on www.beatrice.ne.gov, and through local media outlets, both print and broadcast.

Energy conservation is critical during this time due to low temperatures that are causing increased electricity and natural gas usage. The higher usage is putting a significant strain on these systems that could cause service reliability issues. The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), has notified utilities within its regional footprint that energy curtailments may be necessary. Such reductions are used to balance the supply and demand of electricity in the region.

Customers should remain prepared for rotating outages over the next 36 hours and you could experience more than one. Locations of controlled outages are determined by load shed requirements from SPP, which happens in minutes. BPW does not have any control over the area or duration of the outage.

Current SPP grid conditions can be viewed here.

Locations of controlled outages are determined by load shed requirements from SPP. We are unable to segment out different addresses within a circuit.

The City of Beatrice has reduced the thermostats in all City-owned buildings and shut off non-essential equipment. 

It has been suggested by some to turn off street lamps and traffic signals. This is not a feasible option. All traffic lights except for the light at 19th & Lincoln and 7th & Ella are operated by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, not the City of Beatrice/BPW.

There is not a main switch to shut off street lamps. In order to shut off street lamps, a lineman would need to manually turn off each individual lamp from the bucket of a truck. This would take days to complete turning off and then back on, and would present a hazard to public safety. Our street lamps have energy-efficient LED lights, which has saved the City tremendous energy costs in recent years.