State Asks for Voluntary Electricity Reductions
Monday, June 19, 2017
by JEAN
YAMAMURA (CONTACT)
Bright sunny skies across Southern
California are prompting a
statewide, two-day Flex Alert — or call for voluntary conservation of
electricity — including an announcement in Santa Barbara’s
Nordstrom department store to its customers that it would be reducing energy
from 2 to 6 p.m. Primarily, the store would be dimming its lights, a customer
service representative said, in response to a request by SoCal Edison, and
potentially moving to generator power for its air conditioning. The Cal ISO’s
Flex Alert lasts until 9 p.m., however, and Californians are asked to limit the use of
major appliances, turn off unnecessary lights, and set air conditioners to 78
degrees or above between 2 and 9 p.m., when electricity use tends
to spike.
From
Los Angeles to San Jose, temps are in the 90s today, with thermostats
registering well into the 100s further inland. Santa Barbara’s high so
far is 77 degrees, Santa Ynez’s 96, and 106 in New Cuyama. The National
Weather Service expects more of the same through Wednesday.
The
least tolerant of extremes in temperature are the elderly, infants, and people
with chronic illness, advises Santa Barbara County Public Health. Cooler places
like malls, libraries, and theaters can be a refuge, as well as shade, fans,
water, and lighter meals.
For
fans of power usage data, the ISO indicates that solar output peaked at
noon, with 9,600 megawatts in production. Wind generated about 2,800 megawatts
at its peak around 1 a.m. By late afternoon, renewables were providing about 24
percent of the energy demand.
(805)
962-2571
P.O.
Box 92156, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
margie@sbpermaculture.org
http://www.sbpermaculture.org
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