Update: Grid Operator Declares Statewide Flex Alert Beginning Friday;

Southern California Edison Urges Customers to Reduce Power Use

California Independent System Operator Alert Effective through the Weekend

The California Independent System Operator issued a Flex Alert that will begin at 9 a.m. Friday and last through Sunday to urge California businesses, governments and residents to reduce electricity use voluntarily.

The request made today, which will remain in effect through 6 p.m. Sunday, was made because of increased demand for electricity due to the heat wave.

As California’s power reserves continue to fall and local temperatures rise, the state’s independent system operator and Southern California Edison (SCE) are urging customers to reduce their electricity use.

Should the situation worsen for any reason and power reserves drop to dangerous levels, the independent system operator could direct utilities to conduct involuntary rotating outages — for blocks of customers — across their service areas until sufficient reserve levels are achieved

SCE recommends that customers:

Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.

Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.

Turn off unused appliances and equipment.

Shut off lights when leaving a room.

Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers when an air conditioner is running.

Operate energy-intensive appliances during early morning or evening hours.

Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators.

When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to off-peak times.

For updates, follow SCE on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SCE and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SCE.

http://ceo.lacounty.gov/PDF/CoolingCenters.pdf

COOLING CENTERS EXTEND HOURS OF OPERATION

DUE TO EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS

In response to the triple digit heatwave, the County of Los Angeles has extended the operating hours of certain cooling centers in selected areas throughout the County. The new schedule includes extended hours of operation for certain facilities. In addition, some facilities will remain open throughout the weekend.

If you are planning to visit one of these cooling centers, it is advisable that you call in advance to make sure there is still space available. If a cooling center is not operational, check the attached list for another cooling center nearest you or call County’s Information Line at 2-1-1 or visit our website at www.lacounty.gov.

Please see attached for a list of cooling centers that will have extended hours (highlighted in yellow), effective August 9, through Sunday, August 12, 2012.

http://ceo.lacounty.gov/PDF/CoolingCenters.pdf