Cooperative Energy asks users to limit electricity use Reducing electricity use could ease the strain on the electric system and prevent power outages across the region. By WDAM Staff | February 16, 2021 at 9:11 PM CST - Updated February 16 at 9:25 PM HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Cooperative Energy is asking members of its 11 electric distribution cooperatives to continue limiting electricity use until midnight Tuesday. The request is due to a critical shortage of electricity in parts of the southeastern United States caused by below-normal temperatures and high demand. Cooperative Energy is making the request as directed by its reliability coordinator, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.