The frigid temperatures are currently placing a strain on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power grid.

As a result, all 155 of TVA’s local power companies, including CDE Lightband, have been directed to ask their customers to reduce electrical usage at their homes and businesses until Thursday afternoon.

Pennyrile Electric in Kentucky and CEMC in Montgomery County have made the same request.

Voluntary energy reduction will be most beneficial between the hours of 5-8 p.m. Tuesday evening and 6 a.m . to 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Some easy ways to help lower system demand are as follows:

• Postpone using electric appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and cooking equipment
• Lower heating system thermostats by 2-3 degrees
• Turn off nonessential lights, appliances and other electrical equipment

“We aren’t expecting any problems on our system,” says Brian Taylor, CDE Lightband General Manager. “This is simply a proactive measure to help reduce an excessively high electrical demand on TVA’s system right now.”