SDG&E warns of rolling outages as Newsom urges state to conserve energy

UPDATE 8:30 P.M.

San Diego County avoided rotating outages today in part thanks to conservation efforts by residents and businesses, SDG&E said.

UPDATE - 1:48 P.M.

SDG&E reports that it has received word from the California Independent System Operator that there is a high likelihood that it will order the utility to implement widespread rotating outages as early as 2 p.m.

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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A historic heatwave over California is putting a strain on energy resources. Temperatures are expected to soar over the next several days throughout the state prompting local officials to issue weather warnings.

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said "we are likely to fall short" from avoiding power outages and that it was "very likely" Californians will see rolling blackouts over the next 72 hours.

"These next few days we are anticipating a challenge," the governor said. Newsom is working to purchase more power out of state to help meet California's 4,400 megawatts shortage.

"You can't control the weather but you can prepare for weather events," Newsom said. "We failed to prepare ... I'm ultimately accountable."

RELATED: San Diego County opens cool zones amid heat wave

In San Diego County, authorities have issued an Excessive Heat Warning in the deserts, valleys, inland through Thursday 10 p.m. This means residents should limit physical activity during the day and reschedule to early morning or evening.

San Diego Gas & Electric has been resorting to rotating outages to help alleviate strain on the state's power grid.

Last week, SDG&E was ordered to conduct rotating, one-hour outages in San Diego and southern Orange Counties because of high electric use amid hot and humid temperatures. Friday was the first time in more than a decade the electric company was ordered to conduct rotating, one-hour outage.

State officials have listed the following energy safety tips to help conserve available energy and avoid electricity shortages.

Easy Actions You Can Take at Home

• Adjust Your Thermostat
  • Set your thermostat at 78° or higher during 3-10 pm.
  • Pre-cool your home by setting thermostats to 72° in the early part of the day (when it is more efficient) and 78° or higher after 3 pm
  • Use smart or programmable features to help maintain energy savings when you’re not

• Major Appliance Use
  • Postpone using major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, until cooler times of the
  • Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when
  • Wash clothes in cold
  • Clean or replace dirty
  • Turn your water heater down to 120° or the "normal"
• Close Windows and Doors
  • In the morning before the day starts to heat up, close windows and blinds to keep warm air
  • Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air.

• Smart Energy Use
  • Turn off unnecessary
  • Use lamps with LEDs instead of overhead
  • Enable "power management" on all computers and turn off when not in
  • Unplug phone charges, power strips (those without a switch) and other equipment when not in

• Conservation Programs
  • Consider participating in your utility's demand response program. These voluntary programs are short, temporary measures to reduce energy consumption when power supplies are critically low and a Flex Alert has been issued. Contact your local electric utility to learn about your utility's program and incentives they may offer to

Save Energy at Work

• Lighting
  • Turn off unnecessary office lights, and use natural lighting where

• Thermostat
  • In the summer, set your zone thermostat to 78º or higher, when possible.

• Prevent Leaks
  • Check window vents to make sure they are clear of paper and other
  • Adjust the blinds on windows that receive direct sunlight
  • Keep exterior windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled or heated

• Equipment
  • Turn off any office equipment that is not currently in use. Alternately, look for sleep or power-saving modes in-between uses during the
  • Enable power management settings on all computers, so that they go to sleep and turn off screens when not in

• Break room
  • Unplug electronics such as coffee-makers and microwaves when not in use and when the day is

• End-of-the-Day
  • As you leave the office, get in the habit of checking to make sure computers, printers/copiers, and other office equipment is fully shut down. If possible, switch them off at the power strip to ensure they are no longer draining

• Conservation Programs
  • Consider enrolling in your utility's voluntary conservation program. These types of measures–also known as demand response programs–are short, temporary ways for your utility to reduce energy consumption when power supplies are critically low. Contact your electric utility to learn more about your utility's program and incentives they may offer to

Downloads and Resources

• National Weather Service – See current Watches, Warnings or Weather Advisories: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ca.php?x=1
• Red Flag and Fire Weather Warnings: https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/communications/red-flag-warnings-fire-weather-watches/ [fire.ca.gov]

• Fact Sheets from the CDC on those especially vulnerable to heat exhaustion and
• People aged 65 and older [cdc.gov]|Spanish (en español) [cdc.gov]
• Infants and children [cdc.gov]|Spanish (en español) [cdc.gov]
• People with chronic medical conditions [cdc.gov]|Spanish (en español) [cdc.gov]
• Low income [cdc.gov]|Spanish (en español) [cdc.gov]
• Outdoor workers [cdc.gov]|Spanish (en español) [cdc.gov]
• Athletes [cdc.gov]|Spanish (en español) [cdc.gov]

WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED? How to locate your circuit block

Customers can find their circuit and block numbers on their bill which can be found on MyAccount or the SDG&E App. Below is the list of circuits that are expected to be impacted if asked to initiate rotating outages.

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