California Grid Manager Calls for Rotating Outages.

News & Business Editors/Energy Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2001

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) declared a Stage 3 Emergency today, and ordered Pacific Gas and Electric Company to implement its rotating block outage program.

The CAISO ordered statewide reduction in electric usage totaling 400 megawatts starting at 3:10 p.m. PG&E's share of the statewide total is 151 megawatts. As a result of this order, about 89,000 PG&E customers in Block 14 began experiencing rolling block outages shortly after 3:10 p.m.

The CAISO ordered the second round of outages to begin at 4:10 p.m. today. Again the statewide reduction was 400 megawatts, with PG&E's share at 151 megawatts. As a result, 64,000 PG&E customers in Block 14 began experiencing rolling block outages at approximately 4:10 p.m. Outages are expected to last approximately 90 to 120 minutes.

If the CAISO were to order additional hours of power reduction today, outages would continue with the remainder of customers in Block 14, and then begin again with Block 1. Portions of Block 1 were last affected by rotating outages on June 14, 2000.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Electric Emergency Plan has 14 outage blocks that each serve about 200,000 customers. In addition, customers who provide essential public health, safety, and security services -- and do not have adequate backup generation -- are exempted from outages and placed on Block 50.

When An Outage Occurs

-- Appliances: Turn off all electrical appliances. Leave one light on to let
you know electricity has been restored.

-- Telephones: Telephone service should not be affected by a power outage.
Cordless phones need electricity and will not work during an outage.

-- Home Safety /Security: Chances are good that if your streetlights and
traffic signals are out, your home's lighting will be out, too. Be careful
and use a flashlight when entering a dark house or business. Keep a flashlight
in your auto or near the entry door.

-- Candles: Pacific Gas and Electric Company does not recommend using candles
during an outage because of the danger of fire. If you must use candles, keep
them away from flammable materials, drafts and children.

Outage Safety Outside the Home

-- Traffic Signals: If traffic signals are out, or flashing red,

come to a full stop at every intersection, and proceed as you

would at a four-way stop.

-- Children and pedestrians: When driving, watch for children and

pedestrians crossing streets in or out of the crosswalk.

-- Electric generators: If you use a stand-by electric generator,

be sure that it is installed safely, and call Pacific Gas and

Electric Company to let us know you have one. An improperly

installed generator risks both your property and the lives of

our utility employees who may be working in the area.

Additional Resources

-- For more information about gas and electric safety and

preparedness, visit our web site at www.pge.com/safety.

-- Get a copy of Pacific Gas and Electric's free brochure,

"Standby Electric Generator Safety." Call us at

1-800-PGE-5000, or read it on the web at www.pge.com/safety.

-- For information about food safety and power outages, call the

U.S. Department of Agriculture's meat and poultry hotline at

1-800-535-4555 or use the USDA website at

www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/pofeature.htm.

For more energy saving tips, please visit our website at www.pge.com/123 or contact the Smarter Energy Line at 1-800-933-9555.