California ISO Calls for Energy Conservation; Morning Hours Between 5-9 a.m. are Critical.

News Editors

FOLSOM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2001

The season's most severe winter storm yet is anticipated to increase consumer demand for power at a time when energy reserves are already strained. As a result, the California Independent System Operator (California ISO) has declared Thursday, January 11th a Power Watch Day. The California ISO urges Californians to watch their energy consumption, curtailing their use of electricity whenever possible.

Power reserves have been tight all week with limited imports available from the Northwest. Additionally, the amount of generation unavailable due to planned and forced outages will increase from 10,600 to 12,400 megawatts this evening when the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station reduces its operating capacity by 80%. Record high swells, that can cause the intake valves of the power plant to clog with sea kelp, are expected to hit the Central Coast shoreline tomorrow.

Thursday's peak demand on the ISO-controlled Grid is expected to reach 32,589 megawatts by about 6:00 p.m.

Power Watch is a public awareness campaign sponsored by the California ISO to communicate the current electricity resource outlook, in light of the rising demand for power in California. By providing regular updates on system conditions and peak demand forecasts, the California ISO hopes to convey the importance of using electricity wisely on days when electricity reserves may run low.

Incorporated under California law (AB 1890), the not-for-profit California ISO is chartered by the state to manage the flow of electricity along the long-distance, high-voltage power lines that make up the bulk of California's transmission system. Following restructuring of the state's electricity industry, the California ISO's mission is to keep the open market power grid in California reliable, safe, competitive and accessible.

Information about the California ISO control area's electricity supply and the current demand is available on the web at www.caiso.com. For questions relating to the status of the electrical distribution systems that carry electricity directly to homes and businesses, please contact your local utility.

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                  Energy Conservation Tips for Winter
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      --  Keep your thermostat at 68; lower at night and when not at
        home

      --  Minimize power usage during peak hours of 5-9 a.m. and 4-7
        p.m.

      --  Curb hot water usage

      --  Turn off lights and computers when not in use

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                                STAGE 1
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      Consumers are urged to reduce their use of electricity voluntarily
        to avoid more severe conditions.

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                                STAGE 2
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      Voluntary interruption of service to select customers is required
        to avoid more severe conditions.

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                                STAGE 3
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      Consumers are advised that rotating outages are possible.