FLEX ALERT FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 14
Stubborn heat wave triggers another statewide Flex Alert; conservation critical! August 13, 2012 (Folsom, Calif.) — The week-long heat wave in California is picking up steam again and the mercury on the rise. A Flex Alert is in effect tomorrow and consumers are urged to reduce their energy use. The ISO thanks consumers for their tremendous conservation efforts during last Friday’s Flex Alert. Nearly 1,000 megawatts in energy reduction helped maintain grid reliability. The level of conservation is equal to the output of two large power plants. The main grid operator for California asks consumers to repeat efforts. Find Flex Alert tips at www.caiso.com. Outlook for Tuesday, Aug 14: Flex Alert! High temperatures are forecast statewide. Conservation is critical. Forecast peak demand: 47,500 megawatts 48-Hour Ahead Outlook for Wednesday, Aug 15: No Flex Alert! High temperatures are forecast statewide. Conservation helpful, but not critical. Forecast peak demand: 45,000 megawatts Go to www.caiso.com and click “Notify me” to sign up for Flex Alerts and other updates. CONSERVATION TIPS • Set thermostat at 78 or higher and turn off, if away • Cool with fans & draw drapes • Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances • Use major appliances in morning or late evening STAGE 1 EMERGENCY Operating reserves forecast to fall to between 7% – 6% STAGE 2 EMERGENCY Operating reserves forecast to fall below 5% STAGE 3 EMERGENCY Operating reserves forecast to fall below 3% TRANSMISSION EMERGENCIES Declared when local voltage levels are at risk due to sudden power line outages or when fires threaten the grid.
ECM EDITOR INTERVIEWED BY KPBS ON COUNTY WIND ISSUES
August 13, 2012 (San Diego) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery was interviewed last week by KPBS radio regarding the County Supervisors’ impending vote on Tule Wind and related issues. Listen to that interview here: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/aug/08/tule-wind-project-key-vote/. Hear a followup story on the vote approving the controversial project here: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/aug/09/tule-wind-project-gets-green-light/.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING AND MORE SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
August 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has isseud a flash flood warning for southeast San Diego County. Radar indicates flash flooding is occurring near the Live Oak Springs and Boulevard areas and other rural areas along the southern mountains. A lesser flash flood watch is in effect for a broader area that includes San Diego County deserts and mountain. In addition, a special weather statement has been issued for a strong thunderstorm 17 m iles southwest of Ocotillo moving north, with hail up to the size of nickels and wind gusts to 50 mph expected. Southwest areas in San Diego County will be impacted by this storm. Excessive heat warnings also remain in effect, with temperatures up to 118 degrees in some portions of East County. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways. A vehicle can be swept away by even a few inches of fast-moving water. Monitor news reports closely if traveling in mountain or desert areas. Sign up to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine. You can also follow ViejasAlerts on Twitter for brief text alerts on mobile devices. We recommend all of the above since you don’t know what communications will work best in a regional emergency.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: OCOTILLO SUNRISE
August 13, 2012 (Ocotillo) — ECM photographer Jim Pelley shot this beautiful sunrise this morning from the yard at his home in Ocotillo. Soon this dramatic landscape may be only a memory, vanished in the dust as towering ocotillo cacti are torn down and replaced by 112 wind turbines, each 500 feet tall. That’s the plan for Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Express wind project on this formerly protected public land owned by the federal Bureau of Land Management. Residents have been fighting the project and on Saturday, held a protest that silenced bulldozers for the day.