FOLSOM, Calif., Jul 22, 2006 -- BUSINESS WIRE

 

The extensive heat storm that has gripped California and much of the West since last week intensified today, sending the mercury over 110 degrees throughout the East Bay Area, The Central Valley, San Diego and the Inland Empire in Southern California. Energy demand soared as well, and a major power plant in Northern California tripped off line just after 1:00 p.m. prompting the California ISO to issue a Stage One Emergency notification at 1:10 p.m. as reserve margins dipped below acceptable levels with the energy demand still climbing.

The Stage One Emergency adds urgency to the call for conservation that was already in effect via a Power Watch issued on Friday. "We absolutely need Californians to conserve and cut back on energy use now on Saturday afternoon to help us manage this very serious condition," said ISO Vice President of Operations, Jim Detmers. He is also urging conservation efforts into next week. "The forecast says this heat wave is going to be with us at least that long," said Detmers.

The California ISO is urging all Californians to set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher if possible, turn off unneeded lights, appliances and electronic devices, and refrain from using other big appliances during the peak afternoon hours. If people have a second refrigerator in the garage, it should be unplugged and pool pumps should be set to run in off-peak hours.

The California ISO is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation charged with managing the flow of electricity along California's open-market wholesale power grid. The mission of the California ISO is to safeguard the reliable delivery of electricity, and ensure equal access to 25,000 circuit miles of "electron highway." As the impartial operator of the wholesale power grid in the state, the California ISO conducts a small portion of the bulk power markets. These markets are used to allocate space on the transmission lines, maintain operating reserves and match supply with demand in real time.

SOURCE: California Independent System Operator

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