Statewide Flex Alert Issued For This Weekend In Palo Alto

Press release from the City of Palo Alto:

September 3, 2020

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert, which is a call for voluntary electricity conservation, from Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. Temperatures over the Labor Day holiday weekend are expected to be around 10-20 degrees hotter than normal for this time period in California. The ISO is predicting increased demand and stress on the electric grid, particularly due to air conditioning use, as a result.

Californians are asked to conserve electricity over the weekend and try to reduce energy use as much as possible during peak energy demand hours from 3 pm to 9 pm.

Read the press release from the ISO here.

What You Can Do to Help

Tips to conserve energy and stay cool:

• Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits.
• Cool your home to below normal levels in the morning and reduce your air conditioning during the afternoon hours.
• Use a fan instead of air conditioning.
• Close blinds and drapes.
• Defer use of major appliances.
• Turn off unnecessary lights.
• Unplug unused electrical devices.
• Limit time the refrigerator door is open.
• Consumers can also take steps to prepare for the Flex Alert by doing the following before 3 pm:
• “Pre-cool” homes or lower air conditioning thermostats to 72 degrees.
• Charge electric vehicles.
• Charge mobile devices and laptops.
• Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances.
• Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night.

For more ways to conserve, visit cityofpaloalto.org/efficiencytips

This press release was produced by the City of Palo Alto. The views expressed here are the author’s own.