Photo: North American Electric Reliability Corporation
(Undated) -- Iowa is at an elevated risk to see rolling power blackouts if there's an extreme heatwave this summer. However, several power companies in the Midwest say there's nothing to be worried about.
"Here at Alliant Energy at this time we really have what we feel are sufficient resources to meet the demand obligations for all of our customers throughout the summer months," says Alliant Energy External Communications Manager Cindy Tomlinson. "We continue to plan ahead, we continue to monitor our levels and our energy resources, and really feel like we are in a good position that we have the resources necessary to meet customer demand."
If there were to be any issues there's a process to make sure customers are notified. Alliant follows guidelines by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
"If there were to be a periodic power outage that was called by FERC or by MISO we would follow their steps and their guidelines," says Tomlinson. "Should we reach that stage we have it outlined exactly how we'll communicate with customers."
Tomlinson says the concern remains small. She hasn't seen rolling blackouts in the Midwest in the three-and-a-half years she's worked for Alliant.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation says it would take a prolonged heat wave and high demand for power for rolling blackouts to be necessary. The National Weather Service's seasonal temperature outlook for June, July, and August says Iowa has equal chances to see above or below normal temperatures this summer.