rancho schools-- and santa fe schools are all closed tomorrow. a-p-s officials say they don't want to risk sending kids to school when many of those schools likely won't have heat. jeff maher is live in the newsroom with why the decision could help ensure you have heat tomorrow. jeff. highland high has been set-up as a shelter for people stranded in the cold, or people without heat tonight. a-p-s is one of the biggest natural gas users in the state. that's why a-p-s officials think having school cancelled tomorrow could really help the entire system. a-p-s is already dealing with broken pipes, resulting in water damage at some of its schools. crews spent the day cleaning up this mess at sandia high. seven schools on the westside are without heat because of the natural gas shortage. "there's just too much demand and not enough supply and at some of our schools on the westside, we've had very low pressure which means there hasn't been a lot of gas in the lines" a-p-s decided to cancel school because new mexico gas company could not guarantee the school district that schools would have heat in the morning. but also, by not using up heat at the schools, the state will have a greater supply to spread around. "we're in a crisis and it's critical that we conserve as much natural gas as we possibly can so that the citizens of albuquerque and surrounding areas will be able to stay warm" because of the cancellation, a-p-s is turning down the thermostats at all schools -- and at a-p-s headquarters, where it will be turned down to 60 degrees tomorrow to conserve natural gas. "employees who work there need to bring coats and sweaters, long underwear, whatever to stay warm" and if you're planning to stay at the shelter here, or the one set up at manzano high school, the red cross wants to remind you to bring the essentials with you, including extra pillows, blankets, prescription medications, and toiletries.
