Californians were urged to shut off any nonessential electric devices Tuesday after the California Office of Emergency Services declared that the power grid was facing extreme strain.
CAOES issued a level 3 Energy Emergency Alert around 6 p.m., warning that the state was one step away from ordering rotating power outages. Notifications were broadcast to cell phones across the state as part of the alert.
The smart phone notification reads in part:
“Conserve energy to protect public health and safety. Turn off nonessential power now.”
So far, California has managed to avoid rolling blackouts, despite the heat wave approaching its second week.
The latest emergency alert comes hours after managers of California’s power grid issued another Flex Alert, warning that demand for electricity could outpace supply as temperatures hit the triple-digit mark yet again.
“We know conservation from Californians has been helping lower the loads at the time it’s needed the most,” California’s Independent System Operator said in a statement. “Consumer and commercial demand response, including Flex Alerts, has been helping to extend sparse supplies at critical hours so far this week, giving operators extra cushion in supplies.”
Flex Alerts ask residents to voluntarily reduce energy use, particularly during peak hours in the afternoon and early evening.
California ISO initially declared an Energy Emergency Alert 2 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. indicating all power resources were expected to be in use.
“The ISO is expected to declare an EEA 3 around 5:30 p.m., one step away from ordering rotating power outages,” Cal ISO said in a statement.
The National Weather Service forecasted temperatures to reach as high as 110 in the valleys and mountains of Southern California Tuesday afternoon. Inland coastal areas will range from 85-95 degrees.
An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday.
In a videotaped statement Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Californians to “do a little bit more” to keep electricity flowing, noting that years of drought have reduced the state’s capacity to produce hydroelectric power.
“The reality is we are living in an era of extremes,” Newsom said. “We are anticipating this extreme heat to be a length and duration of which we haven’t experienced in some time. On the supply side we’re challenged by these extremes and on the demand side, not surprisingly, people are turning up the (air conditioning).”
Newsom signed an executive order Tuesday which he says will give the state more flexibility to procure electricity to meet demand.