PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Southwest Power Pool has been sending out Level One Emergency Energy Alerts as the arctic cold plunges south through their fourteen state service area. It puts electric utilities on notice that power demand has risen above their forecasts.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen says tied with earlier concerns about power from MISO, or the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, shows some weak areas in the power grid.

Fiegen has been on an advisory group to SPP and says the problems that came up in February of 2021 should have been addressed.

Fiegen says they are watching the SPP electric grid closely.

The power demand imbalance in February of 2021 caused rolling blackouts as far north and South and North Dakota.