Power Group Online Article |  | |
31 March 2004 - Warm temperatures set records across Southern California Monday and contributed to an electrical emergency caused when the state's power reserves dropped suddenly.
Increased demand caused electricity reserves to fall, prompting a minor emergency and recommendations that customers reduce use of air conditioners and other appliances.
The agency that manages much of the state's power grid saw electricity use surpass projections by 1100 MW. A MW can supply power to about 1000 homes.
Higher temperatures contributed to the problem but did not account for all the increased demand, officials said. "Probably what we're seeing is an increase in growth due to the economy rebounding," said Stephanie McCorkle, a spokeswoman for the California Independent System Operator.
The agency announced a Stage 1 emergency, the least serious of three levels used to classify electrical problems. Stage 2 involves interruption of service to selected utility customers. Stage 3 requires rolling blackouts to keep the system from collapse.
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