MLGW Gears Up for Winter Challenges: Infrastructure Upgrades and Preparedness
Ensuring a steady supply of electricity, warmth, and water takes center stage for Memphis Light Gas and Water (MLGW) as they brace for the upcoming winter weather challenges.
In the next few days, MLGW will put to the test the enhancements and advancements implemented in its infrastructure over the last 12 months. Doug McGowen, President of MLGW, conveyed to Action News 5 that the utility is far better equipped this year to handle severe winter conditions.
Avoiding a repeat of the challenges faced in December 2022, when an ice storm and frigid wind chills led to failures in MLGW’s electric grid and water pumping stations, is a top priority. Compounding the situation, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) struggled to meet the power demand for its 10 million customers, resulting in rolling blackouts.
Leading up to anticipated severe weather, a familiar routine unfolds for Mid-Southerners. Tony Owen, manager at Cash Saver in Midtown, notes, “As soon as there’s going to be bad weather, they want bread, they want milk, they want eggs, and they want water.”
Winter Preparedness Measures MLGW
To ensure reliability in service, McGowen outlined MLGW’s preparation strategies. The foremost step involves having ample crews on standby, ready to respond promptly. Learning from the challenges of the winter of 2022, MLGW undertook extensive winterization efforts on all electric substations and treated circuit breakers with anti-freeze.
For water-related infrastructure, all pumping stations are operational, with more wells online. Wells have been insulated and winterized, incorporating heating mechanisms to prevent freeze-ups. Additional pressure monitoring has been implemented to enhance the overall system’s resilience.
TVA Upgrades to Prevent Recurrence
Addressing the power challenges faced last year, TVA took significant steps to prevent a recurrence of rolling blackouts. They added 1,500 megawatts of new power, sufficient to supply over 1.5 million homes. With a $100 million investment in upgrades, including the installation of sensors to prevent the loss of generation capacity, TVA aims to bolster its capacity during extreme weather conditions.
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Preventing Pipe Bursts: Customer Advisory
MLGW’s primary concern during freezing temperatures is the risk of pipes bursting. Customers are advised to let faucets drip, open cabinet doors, and insulate outdoor pipes. McGowen stressed the importance of swift action if a frozen pipe is detected, urging customers to contact MLGW promptly to secure water and prevent further damage.
For property owners, especially those with vacant premises, a call to action was issued to check for potential issues with broken pipes and flooding water during cold weather.
MLGW has scheduled a news conference on Friday, January 12, at 3:30 p.m. to discuss their winter preparations. Additionally, the utility is committed to holding daily news conferences in case of mass power outages or service disruptions, ensuring transparent communication during challenging weather situations.
