Statewide Flex Alert issued through Wednesday; Californians urged to conserve electricity
LOS ANGELES - The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert, calling on people to conserve electricity.
The Flex Alert begins goes through Wednesday. They are in effect from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
The Flex Alerts were issued in response to record-breaking heat hitting California. Officials with California ISO say the heatwave puts a strain on their grid; residents could experience rolling outages during the late afternoons and early evenings.
“Consumer conservation can help lower demand and avoid further actions including outages, and lessen the duration of an outage. Consumers are urged to lower energy use during the most critical time of the day, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., when temperatures remain high and solar production is falling due to the sun setting,” a statement from the ISO read.
Between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., the ISO is urging consumers to:
• Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits.
• Defer use of major appliances.
• Turn off unnecessary lights.
• Unplug unused electrical devices.
• Close blinds and drapes.
• Use fans when possible.
• Limit time the refrigerator door is open.
RELATED: State officials keep watchful eye on power grid after rolling blackouts
Officials say consumers can also take steps to prepare for the Flex Alert by doing the following before 3 p.m.:
• “Pre-cool” their 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.