Due to the extremely cold temperatures, Lehighton Borough electric customers are being asked to conserve power today.

Borough officials said nothing is wrong with the electric grid; they’re just trying to take every avenue to reduce costs for customers.

Borough customers are requested to voluntarily lower electricity usage during the peak period from 5-7 p.m. today.

“There’s plenty of power available and the grid is in good shape, but if we can conserve during these peak hours, the borough can save on transmission costs next year,” borough manager Nicole Beckett said. “Lowering the peak demand will help keep the borough’s electricity rates low.”

Customers can take simple conservation steps such as: avoiding using electric space heaters; lowering the thermostat to 68 degrees; shutting off lights when not needed; doing laundry and other household chores requiring electricity during hours other than 5-7 p.m.; and turning off televisions, computers, and other electronic devices when not being used.

“As a municipal electric system, owned by its citizens and customers, it is contingent upon those same citizens and customers to keep the electric rates for themselves and all other customers of Lehighton Borough Light and Power as low as possible,” Beckett said. “Our citizens and customers have the opportunity to make a difference in their system and their rates by conserving energy during the periods stated for the upcoming days.”