Dive Brief:

• The California Independent System Operator urging the state to cut its electric use because natural gas supplies for power plants have been curtailed due to the cold weather in the East.
• The Electric Reliability Council of Texas asked customers in its footprint to lower their electric use through mid-Friday because of cold temperatures that are close to driving winter demand to record levels.
• PECO, Pennsylvania's largest utility, continues to dig out from a massive storm that cut power to about 750,000 customers.

Dive Insight:

The frigid winter has challenged utilities and grid operators across the U.S. Wholesale power prices have been jumping up and down. Some competitive retail suppliers, unable to handle the volatility, have dropped their customers to default service. Many utilities will see a boost in sales from the extreme winter weather.