Heat wave strains power grid & travelers' nerves

As the Southland's heat wave rolls on, travelers can expect delays from holiday traffic, closures and a border protest.

By Tami Abdollah and Duke Helfand, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
12:28 PM PDT, August 31, 2007

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Southern California's heat wave intensified today, as rising temperatures strained the power grid and Los Angeles was on track to set an all-time record for electricity consumption.

Department of Water and Power officials say 2,000 residents in Sun Valley lost power and that Los Angeles was expected to use 6,168 megawatts, far above the average daily summer use of about 5,000 megawatts. One megawatt of power serves about 750 homes.

Demand for power was so great that the DWP had to buy additional power and was expected to dip into its reserves by late afternoon.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa urged residents to conserve energy by turning up their thermostats, closing their drapes at home and turning off lights when possible.

"We're urging all Angelenos to pitch in," he said at a midday news conference.

Forecasters predict even hotter temperatures this weekend. Officials also expect some major traffic congestion and rough conditions at the beaches.

A lane closure on the northbound Interstate 5 near Gorman is expected to cause traffic delays of 20 to 30 minutes.

People planning a Labor Day weekend in the Bay Area should beware: The Bay Bridge will be closed all weekend for construction work. On the U.S.-Mexico border south of San Diego, a protest expected Friday could block traffic at the San Ysidro border crossing (the busiest in the nation).

State energy officials warned of a possible Stage 2 power emergency. They also urged people to reduce their energy use.

The California Independent System Operator, which controls the state's power grid, declared a Stage 1 emergency Wednesday after energy reserves dipped below 7%, at 48,538 megawatts, said Gregg Fishman, a spokesman for the system operator.

Today's statewide wattage was expected to increase to 49,572 megawatts, he said, making a Stage 1 emergency declaration likely. A Stage 2 emergency occurs when reserves dip below 5%. And a Stage 3 is declared when reserves dip below 1.5%. Last year there were two Stage 1 declarations and one Stage 2. The only Stage 3 declaration was in 2001.

A Stage 2 alert allows energy officials to kick in "significant tools," which include voluntary programs for business and residential users to cut back on power use, Fishman said.

"We know it's hot ... [but] if you can, without compromising your health or safety, bump that thermostat up a few degrees from 70 to 72 or 80, that will make a difference," Fishman said.

He also urged people to avoid using large electrical appliances during peak afternoon hours.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 70s and low 80s at the beaches and up to triple digits inland through Labor Day. It should cool off about Wednesday, said Bill Hoffer, a spokesman for the National Weather Service.

Large crowds -- and cold water -- are expected at beaches this weekend. At Huntington Beach, nicknamed Surf City, there will be a surf competition on what's expected to be small 1- to 3-foot waves.

"It's wetsuit weather again," said Lt. Mike Baumgartner of the Huntington Beach lifeguard services. "The days of summer -- real warm water -- are pretty much over at this point, up and down the coast."

Even so, Baumgartner said the city was prepared to have as many as 60,000 or more people come to the beach each day this weekend.

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