Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC) Implements Rolling Blackouts

An emergency declared by the Southwest Power Pool early Monday has led to rolling power blackouts for electricity customers across Oklahoma. News 9 has learned that this includes members of the Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC).

In a Facebook message posted to its page, the OEC said customers in Newcastle went through a blackout midday Monday.

OEC added, "UPDATE: The rolling blackouts are now over. Please be advised that this has the potential to escalate very quickly. Be prepared and safe."

SPP declared an energy emergency alert level 3 shortly after 10 a.m. Monday and utility companies in the Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas region would initiate controlled outages.

Less than three hours later, the rolling blackouts began in the Oklahoma area.

UPDATE: SPP lowered its energy emergency to a Level 2, announcing it in a 3 p.m. news conference: