SDG&E Urges Energy Conservation Amid Heat Wave

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — San Diego Gas & Electric was ordered to begin rolling blackouts Monday that could have impacted more than 100,000 customers, but the power crisis was averted thanks to energy conservation.

"Rotating outages were averted in San Diego and southern Orange counties today, in part thanks to local residents and businesses heeding the call to cut back on energy usage amid a prolonged heat wave and exceptionally high energy demand," the utility said in a statement.

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the electrical grid for the state, had warned SDG&E and other utilities it was very likely that they would be ordered to implement rotating outages amid the record-breaking heat wave.

With the heat wave expected to continue through Thursday, SDG&E strongly encouraged customers to continue conserving to reduce the overall demand for power.

"It's still possible that widespread rotating outages could occur throughout the state in the next few days, if CAISO isn't able to maintain balance between energy demand and supply," the utility said.

"Energy conservation remains essential to help avoid the need for rotating outages, as well as the duration of outages and the number of customers affected. Everyone is urged to do their part to cut back on energy use during this critical time."

SDG&E urged customers to take the following steps to save energy:

• Set air-conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees
• Use large appliances before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Defer or reduce the use of pool pumps
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed
• Turn off all unnecessary lighting
• Defer or reduce all non-essential use of commercial and industrial equipment