Cal-ISO Issues 'Flex Alert' Amidst Broiling Heat Wave

LOS ANGELES, CA — The manager of the state's power grid issued a statewide Flex Alert on Wednesday, urging residents to conserve energy in response to high temperatures, power plant outages and reductions in transmission line capacity.

The alert by the California Independent System Operator asks residents to cut back their power use, especially during peak hours of 2 to 9 p.m. The alert was initially issued only for Wednesday, but Cal-ISO later extended it through Thursday.

"Electricity supplies statewide are expected to be tight because of high summer temperatures driving up demand, power plant outages and transmission line import capacity reductions," according to Cal-ISO. "Power imports may be limited (Wednesday) because of high temperatures in neighboring states."

Cal-ISO officials said conservation is especially important in the late afternoon, when air-conditioning use tends to push electricity use to its highest point of the day.

The agency recommended that people conserve energy by setting thermostats at 78 or higher; using fans and closing drapes; turning off unnecessary lights and appliances; and using major appliances only in the morning or late evening.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to reach 87 degrees in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, 91 degrees in Yorba Linda, 85 degrees in Anaheim, 97 in Pasadena and 101 in Woodland Hills.

— By City News Service, photo via Shutterstock