(Fox Business) California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed an executive order that will allow the state to ramp up electricity supply as its power grid braces for stress during a weeklong heatwave.
Speaking at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Newsom said the executive order would grant California more flexibility “across the spectrum” in terms of procuring supply to prepare for the heatwave.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom during a press conference. (California Governor Gavin Newsom / Fox News)
The California Independent System Operator has warned that stress on the energy grid could lead to blackouts and called for consumer conservation between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Remember to defer using major appliances such as the stove, oven, dishwasher and washer and dryer from 4 to 9 p.m. today to conserve energy and alleviate stress on the power grid during today’s #FlexAlert.
— California ISO (@California_ISO) August 31, 2022
“California and the West are expecting extreme heat that is likely to strain the grid with increased energy demands, especially over the holiday weekend,” California ISO said in an advisory on Tuesday, noting that temperatures would intensify over the weekend and into early next week.
CALIFORNIA BOARD MOVES TO BAN GAS-POWERED CARS BY 2035 IN FAVOR OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Excessive-heat warnings expanded to all of Southern California and up into the Central Valley and were predicted to spread into Northern California later in the week.
California ISO said in issuing the “Flex Alert” that high temperatures were pushing up energy demand, primarily from air conditioning use, and tightening available power supplies.
The peak load for electricity demand in California is projected to exceed 48,000 megawatts on Monday, the highest of the year, the grid operator said.
