Deep freeze still on, but signs of life emerging

Despite brutal Arctic-like temperatures that are gripping Minnesota, more than 400,000 Xcel Energy customers are being asked to turn their thermostats down to 63 degrees to conserve natural gas.

This week’s sub-zero temperatures are straining the company’s ability to deliver natural gas to some of its customers. About 150 homes in the Princeton area, about an hour north of Minneapolis, lost natural gas service about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. About 12,000 customers in Becker, Big Lake, Chisago City, Lindstrom, Princeton and Isanti were asked to turn down their thermostats to 60. The company expanded that request on Wednesday to all of its 460,000 gas customers in Minnesota.

http://www.startribune.com/deep-freeze-brings-natural-gas-shortage-frostbite-to-minnesota/505074202/