DENVER, Colo. — March 12, 2021 – As Colorado and surrounding states brace for snow and high winds this weekend, Black Hills Energy is taking steps to prepare its natural gas and electric utility systems for winter storms. Black Hills Energy teams are actively preparing by increasing the number of teams on call, equipping trucks with parts and tools, and ensuring we’re ready to address outages or issues in the communities we serve. Customers can also take steps to stay safe and manage energy use in coming days.

“We’re working hard to ensure our team and our system are ready for this weekend’s winter weather, and we’re confident in our ability to continue delivering the reliable energy that our customers depend on us for,” said Vance Crocker, vice president of Colorado operations for Black Hills Energy. “Safety is our top priority, so we encourage our customers to notify us as soon as any issues arrive. We also know that as temperatures dip, energy consumption can rise, so it’s important to take steps to manage energy use.”

Stay safe. Stay connected. If the power goes out, report it online or call 888-890-5554. For outage information in your area, stay connected with Black Hills Energy by logging on to www.blackhillsenergy.com. If you suspect a natural gas leak, call 911 and then Black Hills Energy.

Safety Reminders

• While playing or working in the snow, keep an eye out for downed power lines. Never touch or attempt to pick up a fallen power line and keep children and pets away.
• Snow and ice buildup on your home’s natural gas meter can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to your heating equipment and other appliances. To avoid trouble, gently remove snow and ice from on and around the meter with your hands or a broom.
• If you suspect an indoor natural gas leak, get out immediately. Call 911, then call Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554. Wait for Black Hills Energy or emergency personnel to arrive before re-entering the building. Emergency personnel will let you know when it’s safe to return. Do not touch switches or electronics and leave windows and doors as is. Do not turn on lights, ignite a flame, use a cell phone or use anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator.
• Ensure your home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors.

Tips for Managing Energy Use

• • If health concerns aren’t a factor, set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter and reduce it 2 to 3 degrees while you’re away from home or sleeping.
  • Doing laundry or washing dishes can use energy to heat the water and your dryer. If you can, only wash full loads using cold water, air dry your clothes, or even better, wait until the extreme cold weather passes to complete these activities.
  • Make sure your furnace vent, gas fireplace vent and tankless/conventional water heater vents are free from any obstructions or debris.
  • Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans only as needed. In just one hour, these fans can exhaust a house full of warmed air.
  • Reduce hot water usage. Use low-flow faucets and shower heads and take short showers instead of baths. Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees or put it on the “warm” setting.

For more winter safety tips, visit our blog.