Statewide Flex Alert issued for Californians to voluntarily conserve power during heat wave
Residents and businesses across the state are being asked to reduce their energy consumption between the hours of 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.
With several days of extremely hot temperatures in the forecast, a statewide Flex Alert calling for Californians to voluntarily turn off their lights and help conserve electricity was issued for Friday.
In light of the anticipated heat, the state's power grid operator is predicting an increase in the demand for electricity, "primarily from residential air conditioning use,' according to the California Independent System Operator.
Residents and businesses are being asked to reduce their energy consumption between the hours of 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.
"California will be experiencing near-record or record-breaking heat, up to 10-20 degrees above normal in some areas,'' ISO officials said. "Prolonged heat over several consecutive days is expected to drive electricity demand higher, as nighttime temperatures are also forecast to be above average."
The National Weather Service issued heat advisories from 11 a.m. Friday through 9 p.m. Sunday in Los Angeles County's coastal zone --- beach cities, metropolitan Los Angeles, downtown L.A. and the Hollywood Hills.
A more serious excessive heat warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Monday in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, the San Gabriel, Santa Monica and, below 5,000 feet, the Santa Ana mountains in Orange County, and from 11 a.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Antelope Valley.
Here are some energy conservation tips:
ISO officials say these measures can help lighten the strain on the power grid and avoid any power interruptions.
City News Service contributed to this report.
