North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement Tuesday after Southwest Power Pool, whose 14-state electrical transmission area includes parts of North Dakota, declared an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 and directed its member utilities to implement controlled interruptions of service to prevent further power outages.

Burgum said in the release that all in the area are being urged to reduce their consumption of electricty, both at home and at work.

The rolling blackouts have occured due a power winter storm that has reached from Texas to the East Coast.

North Dakota electricity consumers are served by two regional transmission organizations, SPP and Midwest Independent System Operators.