City: Halt All Unnecessary Power Usage Immediately

California has issued an urgent alert to Santa Clara County, including Palo Alto, to reduce power usage immediately.

City of Palo Alto Utilities Communications Manager Debra Katz emphasizes that Palo Alto is included in the alert. “Even though the City Utilities, not PG&E, is the power provider for Palo Alto, our system is interconnected with the grid of which PG&E’s substations are a part.”

Here is the alert from the state:

“The California ISO is urging residents and businesses in the San Jose area, in particular Santa Clara and Silicon Valley, to conserve electricity NOW following heavy damage to the Metcalf transmission substation.

“Pacific Gas and Electric is reporting heavy damage to transformers at the substation following gunshots heard during an apparent vandalism in the early morning hours. Santa Clara law enforcement is working closely with PG&E to investigate.

“As damage assessments continue, additional equipment at the substation may be taken out-of-service. This will limit transmission capability in this area of the high-voltage grid, which is why conservation is required.

“Consumers are urged to reduce their energy use now through midnight.”