California ISO Declares "Power Watch"

Here's something to watch over the weekend -- high temps across Southern California stressing the electrical grid:

A "power watch" will also be in effect Thursday through Monday for much of the Southland due to high temperatures and increased power demands, the California Independent System Operator announced.

Residents are urged to conserve power, especially during peak afternoon hours.

To save energy, homeowners should set thermostats at 78 degrees and use fans, turn off appliances and power tools when not being used, block direct sunlight from overheating rooms, and close doors and vents in unoccupied rooms.

The heat is expected to peak across the region on Saturday, with high temperatures expected to top 100 degrees in most locations in the valleys and across lower elevations in the mountains.

Southern California Edison officials expect a record demand for power this weekend. The utility's record for peak demand of 45,431 megawatts was set July 20, 2005.

Click here to monitor the situation through the California ISO.

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