Although the first searing heat wave nears a weekend conclusion, the official start of summer is at our doorstep. The health and comfort of Californians isn’t the only concern.

Soaring temperatures are straining the state’s electrical system.

It’s not even been a year since a severe heat wave triggered rolling blackouts. Officials are asking Californians to reduce their energy use in hopes of averting shut-downs.

A FlexAlert has been extended to Friday between 5pm-10pm. Compliance, through, may not be enough.

Governor Newsom signed an emergency proclamation Thursday to free up additional energy capacity. The proclamation suspends certain permitting requirements, allowing the use of back-up power generation and freeing up additional energy capacity to help alleviate the heat-induced demands on the state's energy grid.

The state’s electrical providers are calling on individuals and businesses to “flex their power” by reducing energy use in the evenings, at last through Friday.

As California’s ability to store solar and wind energy with batteries or other technology continues to increase, the crucial evening hours will be less challenging, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) said.

Story Date: June 19, 2021