California ISO issues statewide Flex Alert due to heat wave

The California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert that calls for voluntary electricity conservation from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.

Consumers are urged to conserve electricity especially during the late afternoon when air conditioners typically are at peak use. Consumers can help avoid power interruptions by turning off all unnecessary lights, using major appliances before 2 p.m. and after 9 p.m., and setting air conditioners to 78 degrees or higher.

Persistent hot temperatures and tight supply can strain the power grid, as air conditioner use increases. The forecast peak use today is expected to exceed 48,000 megawatts, which if met will be the highest demand on the grid seen so far this year. The ISO’s service territory serves about 80 percent of California’s electricity consumers.

For more electricity conservation tips, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website at www.flexalert.org/save-energy.