Amid an ongoing heat wave, state officials on Tuesday declared a Flex Alert for the first time in nearly two years, asking Californians to reduce energy use during peak afternoon and early evening hours.
The alert is for Tuesday and Wednesday, and reduced energy consumption was urged between 2 and 9 p.m. both days.
The Flex Alert was issued by the California Independent System Operator, a nonprofit corporation that operates the state’s electricity grid.
It was the Cal ISO’s first summer Flex Alert since July 2013. The organization had issued a winter Flex Alert with regard to a natural gas shortage in Februrary 2014.
Peak demand of 44,700 megawatts was expected around 6 p.m.
The alert calls for Californians to conserve energy by setting thermostats at 78 degrees or higher, turning off unnecessary lights and appliances, and by using major appliances either early in the morning or late in the evening.