California Sets New Record Peak Energy Use; Electrical Demand Heats Up With The Weather.

FOLSOM, Calif. -- Californians are using more electricity today than ever before as temperatures heat up around the state. Despite setting a new record peak demand of 44,042, set at 4:26 p.m. Monday, July 19, there were no electrical emergencies. The California Independent System Operator (ISO) did issue a maintenance restriction on power plants. The previous statewide record for peak demand of 43,609 was set July 12, 1999.

"We've been seeing high demand for energy all summer," said Jim Detmers, Interim Chief Operations Officer at the California ISO. "What that tells me is that the demand for electricity has and is growing with the return of the economy." Detmers says the average temperatures today around the state are up, but not as high as they can get. "We can easily increase five-to-ten degrees from today's high temperatures, and when that happens, electricity use is going to demand even more from the high voltage grid."

So far, there is enough power to meet the high demand, but Detmers says there will probably be some tight days ahead, when balancing supply and demand becomes a real challenge. However, he is not predicting the need for rolling blackouts at this time. "Dropping of firm load (blackouts) is always a last resort for us. We can call on emergency resources, interruptible customers and other contingency measures before we would need to interrupt service, but conservation and mindful energy use is going to be important going forward."

Temperatures in northern California are forecast to increase in the next few days. The ISO asks consumers, when possible, to conserve electricity.

ISO Powerful Habits Conservation Tips:

--Set your thermostat to 78-80 when you're at home, 85 or off when away.

--Turn off unneeded lights, appliances and electronics.

--Avoid using major appliances during peak afternoon hours 4-6 p.m. are most critical.

--Set pool pumps and automatic sprinklers to run in off peak hours.

--For more conservation tips, visit www.fypower.com.

The public can get up to the minute information on California's energy situation by visiting the ISO website at www.caiso.com and clicking on the "System Conditions" link on the home page. News media can get a recorded message about grid conditions that's suitable for broadcast by calling 1 (888) 516-NEWS and pressing the number 1 on the phone key pad. The message includes a conservation tip.

The California ISO is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation charged with managing the flow of electricity along California's open-market wholesale power grid. The mission of the California ISO is to safeguard the reliable delivery of electricity, and ensure equal access to a 25,000 circuit miles of "electron highway." As the impartial operator of the wholesale power grid in the state, the California ISO conducts a small portion of the bulk power markets. These markets are used to allocate space on the transmission lines, maintain operating reserves and match supply with demand in real time.