This Aug. 14-15, an extraordinary heat weather event prompted the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) agency to institute the first series of rolling blackouts in 19 years. The measure was necessary to parcel out energy in the face of huge power consumption due to air conditioning demand. 

CAISO is made up of California’s three investor-owned utilities, which includes Southern California Edison (SCE). This month, Edison reminds customers that future heat events might prompt additional rolling power outages.

When CAISO anticipates demand is going to outpace available supply, it initiates a series of steps that send warnings to customers and communities along with requests to conserve energy and reduce power consumption. If customers respond by reducing their energy consumption, it may prevent outages. Actual rotating outages are the final step in the process.

In the event that rotating outages are needed, those customers identified as Essential Use Customers such as hospitals are typically exempt from these types of temporary power shut-offs. Hospitals are sometimes voluntarily asked to support the electric grid by powering facilities using backup generation systems for limited periods.

For more complete information on the CAISO Rotating Outages, please review the attached SCE information sheet here or below.

With questions, please contact HASC Vice President, External Affairs and Strategic Communications Adam Blackstone.

Contact:
Adam Blackstone
(213) 538-0700
ablackstone@hasc.org