SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A statewide Flex Alert was issued through Wednesday by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) asking people to conserve electricity.
CAISO says that the ongoing heatwave in California and other western states is causing "a strain on supplies" and that there is not enough energy to meet the high demand from consumers during a heatwave.
"Consumers should be prepared for likely rolling outages during the late afternoons and early evenings through Wednesday," according to a CAISO press release.
They recommend conserving energy by shifting electricity usage to mornings and nights instead of during the late afternoon and evenings when the temperature is the hottest.
"Conservation can help lower demand and avoid further actions including outages, and lessen the duration of an outage," said CAISO.
The Flex Alerts are in effect from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Wednesday.
CAISO is asking Californians to do the following during the Flex Alert hours:
- Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits
- Try not to use 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
Californians can also do these things to prepare for the energy conservation before 3 p.m.:
- “Pre-cool” homes by lowering 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
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