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California ISO Declares "Power Watch"

By Eric McErlain
Here's something to watch over the weekend -- high temps across Southern California stressing the electrical grid:
A "power watch" will also be in effect Thursday through Monday for much of the Southland due to high temperatures and increased power demands, the California Independent System Operator announced.

Residents are urged to conserve power, especially during peak afternoon hours.

To save energy, homeowners should set thermostats at 78 degrees and use fans, turn off appliances and power tools when not being used, block direct sunlight from overheating rooms, and close doors and vents in unoccupied rooms.

The heat is expected to peak across the region on Saturday, with high temperatures expected to top 100 degrees in most locations in the valleys and across lower elevations in the mountains.

Southern California Edison officials expect a record demand for power this weekend. The utility's record for peak demand of 45,431 megawatts was set July 20, 2005.
Click here to monitor the situation through the California ISO.

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Comments

Anonymous said…
I find it increasingly frustrating that nothing has been done to aleviate this ongoing problem. Billions of dollars are spent outside the country, yet something as basic as our nations power grid has been given no preference whatsoever. I cannot fathom why, in the 21st century, we are having random blackouts, people are dying from heat exhaustion and we are being asked to put our theremostats at 78 degrees, close our drapes, turn off all appliances and basically retreat to a cave when money has been, and still is, available for the construction of power stations, as well as alternate forms of power. This has been an ongoing problem for over 60 years and yet nothing has been done. Why have builders not been urged to put solar panels on newly constructed homes, I know of at least one builder who is now doing this, and dont tell me cost, they are making hefty profits from new home sales. Also why have we not looked more at hydrogen power? All you ever get told is expense, expense. Money for conflict seems to be abundant. Perhaps more effort should be put into what is happening here at home.
July 24, 2006 at 3:54 PM
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