Rolling Blackouts Possible Friday As Statewide Flex Alert Issued

CALIFORNIA — As a brutal heatwave bears down on California with temperatures expected to surpass 110 degrees in some areas, residents and businesses may have to face the heat without an air conditioner for periods of time.

The California Independent System Operator, Cal ISO, issued a statewide Flex Alert for Friday, citing the predicted temperatures across much of California and a potential capacity shortfall on the state’s electric grid.

Californians are asked to voluntarily conserve electricity from 4 to 9 p.m.

When Flex Alerts were called in mid-June and during last summer in August and September, consumers significantly reduced energy use greatly limiting rotating power outages.

During the Flex Alert

• Set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if your health permits
• Avoid using major appliances, like dish washers and clothes washers and dryers
• Turn off all unnecessary lights Consumers are also encouraged to use fans for cooling and unplug unused electrical items. In the hours before a Flex Alert takes effect, consumers are encouraged to take these steps to help the state manage energy use later in the day.

Before the Flex Alert

• Pre-cool your home by lowering the thermostat
• If you need to use your major appliances, do it earlier in the day, when solar energy is abundant
• Close window coverings to keep your home or apartment cool
• Take advantage of the solar energy to charge electronic devices and electric vehicles so there’s no need to do it later, when solar is not available