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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Hamilton County Schools will close Wednesday after TVA calls on customers to reduce power usage

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Frost clings to vegetation on a cold morning in an East Brainerd field on Dec. 20, 2024. TVA and EPB are requesting customers reduce their power use Wednesday morning to limit the potential strain on the power grid amid extreme cold.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Frost clings to vegetation on a cold morning in an East Brainerd field on Dec. 20, 2024. TVA and EPB are requesting customers reduce their power use Wednesday morning to limit the potential strain on the power grid amid extreme cold. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Frost clings to vegetation on a cold morning in an East Brainerd field on Dec. 20, 2024. TVA and EPB are requesting customers reduce their power use Wednesday morning to limit the potential strain on the power grid amid extreme cold.

Hamilton County Schools will be closed Wednesday following an appeal from TVA and EPB that the community voluntarily reduce power usage between 6-10 a.m.

“Based on this request, it is our belief that not opening our approximately 80 schools will best serve the community’s needs at this time,” the system said in a news release.

EPB, the electric utility serving Chattanooga, said it’s issuing a power advisory a day in advance so customers have enough time to help save money on their energy bills and reduce potential strain on the power grid.

(READ MORE: Bitter cold spreads across much of the US as Texas and the South brace for rare winter storm)

The utility urged customers to set their thermostats to between 65-68 degrees, postpone use of clothes dryers, dishwashers, stoves and ovens, and turn off nonessential appliances and lights. EPB also encouraged businesses to shut off any lights and office equipment when not in use and turn off heating outside business hours.