Outcry over bright lights around Austin amid energy conservation call
FOX 7 Austin s Bridget Spencer asked why the downtown area remained bright and Austin Energy released a statement saying that the downtown network is excluded for now from load shedding (power outages) during controlled outages mandated by ERCOT.
Officials say it s a complicated, inter-connected network which includes critical buildings like the Dell Seton Medical Center, warming centers, the COVID-19 Alternate Care Site, Capitol Complex and Austin City Hall, as well as other critical infrastructure and government buildings. Shutting down the downtown network would also cut off electricity to these critical buildings, which may also house vital communications equipment.