SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — An electricity management organization has declared a maximum generation emergency alert for our region this week.

The MISO Hot Weather Alert was previously declared for the MISO Market Footprint from Sunday through Tuesday but has now been extended at least until Thursday.

MISO, or Midcontinent Independent System Operator, manages the generation and transmission of electricity across a 15-state area that includes areas in our region covered by Ameren Illinois.

The reason for the Alert is because of the high forecasted load, above normal temps, and additional resource uncertainty.

Utility providers in the area are being encouraged to prepare personnel for tight energy supply conditions due to expected record demand during the heat wave.

At this time, however, Ameren Illinois reports they have enough energy supply available to meet customers’ needs.