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Heat triggers Flex Alert for California

Posted at 11:46 AM, Jul 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-27 19:11:28-04

SAN DIEGO – A flex alert that was declared for the state of California on Wednesday has been extended through Thursday.

The manager of the state's power grid issued a statewide Flex Alert Wednesday, urging residents to conserve energy in response to high temperatures, power plant outages and reductions in transmission-line capacity.

The alert by the California Independent System Operator asks residents to cut back their power use, especially during peak hours of 2 to 9 p.m. The alert was initially issued only for Wednesday, but Cal-ISO later extended it through Thursday evening.

RELATED: Check power grid demands across California

"Electricity supplies statewide are expected to be tight because of high summer temperatures driving up demand, power plant outages and transmission line import capacity reductions," according to Cal-ISO. "Power imports may be limited today because of high temperatures in neighboring states."

Cal-ISO officials said conservation is especially important in the late afternoon, when air-conditioning use tends to push electricity use to its highest point of the day.

ISO Tips:

-- Set thermostat at 78 or higher and turn off, if away

-- Cool with fans & draw drapes

-- Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances

-- Use major appliances in morning or late evening

Anyone interested in receiving Flex Alerts by email or text message can click here.