Businesses respond to CU request for natural gas conservation

With adverse weather conditions bearing down on the Queen City area, City Utilities of Springfield is asking customers to reduce their usage.

At least three Springfield businesses have voluntarily closed today in response.

"Due to extreme weather conditions, natural gas suppliers are asking utilities to reduce demand. To do this, City Utilities is requesting voluntary conservation steps of all electric and natural gas customers," CU officials posted on Facebook this morning. "Extreme temperatures are impacting the delivery of natural gas along the pipeline including gas delivery to City Utilities and may create supply issues through Tuesday, due to natural gas supply cuts."

Directly citing the CU request, Hold Fast Brewing Co., Jimm's Steakhouse & Pub and The Sandwich Scene announced temporary closures for the day.

"To do our part in helping the city of Springfield, and City Utilities, in the conservation of energy and natural gas supply, Hold Fast Brewing is closed today, Monday the 15th," the brewery announced on Facebook. "We will always do our part for the community and sometimes that means just being a good neighbor."

At The Sandwich Scene, another downtown business, a Facebook post this morning indicated, "Jack Frost nipped at our water pipes."

"Also, CU asked that we conserve energy. So, we aren’t turning on the ovens either," the post reads.

While they didn't directly cite the CU request, other businesses that have closed today due to inclement weather include Tacos El Gordo, Little Bluebird Vintage Boutique, Haute Tot Upscale Kids Resale and Team Taco, according to Facebook posts from the companies.

Myriad other businesses, including CU, are closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

In a news release sent late last week, CU indicated the 14-state territory that receives energy through the Southwest Power Pool would be impacted by the winter storm.

"City Utilities, the city of Springfield and other large customers are doing their part to conserve energy, by decreasing thermostats, turning off lights and closing unused rooms and spaces," officials said in the release.