California urged to save electricity for second straight day

A statewide Flex Alert, urging residents to save electricity, has been extended until Thursday as a dangerous heat wave sweeps through California.

The California Independent System Operator issued the flexible alert “due to high temperatures increasing energy demand and constricting available power sources.” The Flex Alert calls on residents to save as much electricity as possible between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to help ease the strain on the state’s power grid.

“With excessive heat in the forecast for much of the state and the western United States, the grid operator expects strong demand for electricity, primarily due to the use of the air conditioning, and calls for voluntary conservation measures to help balance supply and demand, a statement from Cal told ISO.

During alerts, residents should:

• set their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher
• avoid the use of major household appliances
• turn off unnecessary lights
• avoid charging electric vehicles

If voluntary conservation fails to relieve the strain on the power grid, Cal ISO could transition to a series of emergency alerts, including power outages.

Most of the state is baking in high heat, and triple-digit temperatures are forecast for much of Southern California over the Labor Day holiday.