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Las Cruces Prepares For Possible Rolling Blackouts

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The City of Las Cruces is preparing for potential disruption in electric service resulting from the Arizona wildfires. El Paso Electric has announced that should the wildfires impact the company's ability to import power from the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Wintersburg, AZ, located west of Phoenix, it may institute power curtailment/conservation measures, which could include rolling blackouts.

As a result, the City of Las Cruces is preparing for any associated impacts.

The Las Cruces Police Department is reminding motorists to treat an intersection with non-functioning traffic signals as if it is controlled by stop signs. For example, non-functioning traffic signals at four-way intersections should be treated as four-way stops.

Traffic signals that are flashing red also should be treated as all-way stops. The city's traffic signals are programmed to resume normal operation shortly after power is restored.

The Las Cruces police and fire departments are prepared to enhance their staffing levels in the event emergency services witness an increased call volume.

The Utilities Department is arranging to rent portable generators to provide power to water wells, and will ask customers to conserve water to reduce the amount of electricity needed to power the wells.

The City will also assess any special needs associated with the elderly and will respond accordingly.

The City will issue further updates as warranted.