All County Employees,

The Southern California Region is currently experiencing higher than normal outdoor temperatures. Increased air conditioner use due to the persistent hot temperatures and tight supplies can strain the State’s power grid.

It is anticipated that today, Friday September 1, 2017, the California Independent System Operator (CALISO) will issue a statewide Flex Alert calling for voluntary electricity conservation from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

CALISO is currently forecasting that tomorrow’s peak electric demand within the State will set a new record. CALISO’s prediction is that sometime tomorrow afternoon, peak demand will reach 51,004 megawatts. Previously, the highest recorded peak demand in California was 50,270 megawatts on June 6, 2006.

Your personal efforts within the workplace and at home can help insure the reliability of the systems that supply our power. Conserving electricity during the late afternoon when air conditioning is typically at peak use is encouraged. Individual actions such as turning off all unnecessary lights, using major appliances before 2 p.m. and after 9 p.m., and setting air conditioners to 78 degrees or higher can help avoid power interruptions.

The following home and office conservation tips are provided as a guide for actions an individual can take;

• Maximize natural light and turn off unnecessary office lights.
• Turn off office equipment such as printers, computers, fax machines and the coffee maker at night and when not in use. Adjust power management settings to activate "sleep" mode during periods of inactivity.
• Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air. Adjust blinds and window coverings on windows that receive direct sun.
• Plug all radios, cell phone and mp3 chargers, fans and other personal electronics into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use. These devices draw energy 24/7, even when switched off.
• Dress comfortably for the weather. Adjust your layers of clothing before adjusting the thermostat.
• Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LED’s and save 75% of lighting costs.
• Unplug electronics, battery chargers and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as a refrigerator.
• Take steps to cut water use such as installing faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and low-flush toilets. As much as 19% of California electricity is used to pump, transport and treat water.
• A 5° higher setting on your air conditioning thermostat will save about 10% on cooling costs.
• Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and equipment - they're up to 40% more efficient.
• Turn your water heater down to 120° or the "normal" setting when home, and to the lowest setting when away. Water heating accounts for about 13% of home energy costs.
• Reduce air conditioning costs by using fans, keeping windows and doors shut and closing shades during the day.
• Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with CFLs instead of overhead lights.
• Enable "power management" on all computers and make sure to turn them off at night. Consider using a laptop computer, as they use up to 90% less energy than bigger desktop models.
• When possible, wash clothes in cold water; about 90% of the energy use in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
• Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when fully loaded. Fewer loads reduce energy and water use.
• Make sure your dryer's outside vent is clear and clean the lint filter after every load. When shopping for a new dryer look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off when clothes are dry.
• Test for air leaks at your windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches and other locations where there is a possible air path to the outside. If you locate an air leak, you can seal the leak by caulking or weather stripping it.

Thank you for your efforts and consideration.