KNBN NewsCenter1 Local electricity providers say further blackouts possible but not likely February 16, 2021 RAPID CITY, S.D. — As unprecedented cold sweeps across the Midwest and Southern Plains, energy consumption has reached a new high, forcing power providers into temporary blackouts to build back energy reserves. Southwest Power Pool, or SPP, provides service for 17 central and western states from the Canadian border through Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Service is then divvied by region. Serving West River Electric Association and other Western South Dakota energy distributors is the Western Area Power Administration. Courtesy: SPP At peak energy usage Tuesday morning, SPP issued a ‘Level 3 Energy Emergency Alert.’ According to SPP’s Facebook page, this means “system-wide generating capacity has dropped below our current load”, warranting interruptions of electric service across the entire service area, including WAPA.