Fire at natural gas plant in Michigan, officials ask to turn down heat to conser

[patq911]

>RAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD/AP) — Consumers Energy has called on customers to voluntarily reduce their natural gas usage following a fire at a suburban Detroit gas compressor station amid bitterly cold weather.
"What we're trying to avoid is a situation where we just simply can't deliver natural gas to certain communities, neighborhoods, critical facilities," Consumers CEO Patti Poppe said in a phone interview with 24 Hour News 8 Wednesday night.
During a press conference earlier in the night, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked residents in the Lower Peninsula to set their thermostats to 65 degrees or lower to make sure there was enough energy to go around. The state sent out an emergency alert to smartphones around 10:30 p.m. with the request.
DTE Energy also asked people to turn down their heat, citing the stability of the energy grid.
Poppe said Consumers' largest business partners, including General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler, had already curtailed use to do their part and make sure residents can stay warm.
"I appreciate all of the Michiganders ... and appreciate any steps that they're willing to take. Everyone can do something," Poppe said.

Officials

Heat interruptions possible if residents don’t turn down thermos..

Late-night appeals flood consumers: Use less gas after utility fire.

tl;dr: fire at a natural gas plant could possibly cause a supply shortage. The Governor and the utility company has asked everyone in the lower peninsula of michigan (well not EVERYONE, but from grand rapids to detroit) to turn down temperatures in their house to 65F or lower until friday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/gretchenwhitmer/status/1090807363811065857

[CMX]

I get my natural gas from DTE , why would I have to turn my temp down for a fire from another supplier?

[patq911]

DTE is helping Consumers with supply. They also recommend turning down your temps. I also get my gas from DTE because I'm on the west side of the state, but might as well help a little bit.

Consumers Energy, DTE ask customers to reduce usage

[nikomo]

65F = 18.3C
Put on a sweater and you're fine. It's a lot better than not having heat at all because the gas supply runs out.