Will Oncor Shut Down Downtown Dallas?

According to Robert’s Blog, the Central Business District is immune to the rolling blackouts. But hang on. A warm-blooded FrontBurnervian passes along the following note sent by the folks who operate the Bank of America building to the tenants there:

We have now received word that downtown Dallas is being put in the rolling blackout rotation within the next hour. There is a possibility that Oncor may bypass downtown if they can see enough power being shed by downtown buildings. Several other properties have indicated that they are turning their heat off and suggesting their tenants close down.

We are not necessarily asking you to take that measure, but if you can let us know if you are closed today, we could turn the interior heat off and reduce the settings on the thermostats to your floors and therefore reduce the load. Also, if you have any unnecessary lights or equipment on, please turn them off.

That e-mail was sent about one hour ago. I’m thinking that this computer I’m using does use electricity. Seems like the only Christian thing to do is shed that load, right?

Update (2:53): Chris Schein at Oncor confirms that the controlled blackouts have ended — for now. But we’re operating on a thin margin here. Will they return? Depends on how much energy we use. All of which argues for pointing my mouse at that little apple up in the left-hand corner.