MEMPHIS, Tenn. —  MLGW is urging residents of Arlington, Lakeland and other residents being served by substation 68 to conserve electricity, especially with temperatures expected to rise.

“It’s an unprecedented situation,” said MLGW President and CEO Jerry R. Collins, Jr. about blackouts, which have not occurred in recent MLGW history. “The magnitude of the damage suffered by Substation 68 (on July 11) is unlike anything the utility has seen in the last 30 years. Voluntary curtailment is necessary to help manage power loads in these areas, especially on the hot days ahead.”

The company said these residents should curtail their power usage as much as they can during the peak hours of 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in order to avoid mandatory rolling blackouts.

The concern moving into next week, MLGW said, is that the high summer loads could further damage the distribution system.

To curtail usage, residents can simply unplug devices when they are not in use, delay drying clothes until after 8 p.m., increase the temperature settings to 80 degrees when you’re not at home, and by running swimming pool pumps overnight.