Flex Your Power NOW! Power Watch in Effect Through Monday; High Humidity Drives New Spikes in Power Demand

Business Wire, July 21, 2006

FOLSOM, Calif. -- An unusual and unrelenting heat wave that has gripped California for a week is driving yet another potential new record peak demand. A monsoonal flow of moisture has raised humidity levels dramatically across most of California. Energy demand is trending above forecast and is expected to set a new record by late afternoon today.

The California Independent System Operator (California ISO) urges consumers to conserve through Monday. The ISO reports that conservation is working and wants to extend a big thanks to consumers for doing their part to help with smooth grid operations. The grid operator estimates that in addition to 400 megawatts of state aqueduct pump load curtailed during peak hours during record setting demand earlier this week, consumers themselves trimmed 1,000 megawatts in electricity use for a total of 1,400 "negawatts" in conservation. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's push for conservation and his call on state buildings to reduce consumption by 25 percent is making a noticeable difference in "shaving the peak" at exactly the right time.

Today, Friday, July 21, 2006
                            Power Watch Day

Monday's new record peak demand of 46,561 megawatts could be broken
today. Thursday's peak was just short of that at 46,465.
--  Stage 1: Unlikely      Stage 2: unlikely         Stage 3: unlikely
--  Forecast peak demand:  47,078 megawatts around 4:00 p.m.


     24-48-Hour Ahead Outlook for Saturday, Sunday, July 22 and 23
               California ISO Continues Power Watch Day

Statewide high temperatures are expected to continue and intensify
somewhat through the weekend. While the load will drop during the
weekend, the ISO is still expecting new record weekend demand for both
Saturday and Sunday.
--  Stage 1: unlikely      Stage 2: unlikely         Stage 3: unlikely
--  Forecast peak demand: Saturday/Sunday, approximately 44,000
    megawatts


               72-Hour Ahead Outlook for Monday, July 24
               California ISO Continues Power Watch Day

The unrelenting heat continues across most of California and the
Western United States. Another new peak demand record expected.
--  Stage 1: Possible      Stage 2: unlikely         Stage 3: unlikely
--  Forecast peak demand: Monday, approximately 48,375 megawatts

Please monitor the California ISO website at www.caiso.com for updated information about the electricity supply. The Systems Condition page provides the current demand on the Grid and an hour-by-hour forecast of the day's electrical surplus/shortfall is available in Today's Outlook.

This advisory is based on the best data available at the time of its release. Grid conditions can change rapidly and are subject to change without warning. This forecast is accepted by the recipient on the condition that errors, omissions and/or changes to the contents shall not be made the basis for any claim, demand or cause of action against the California ISO.

Stage 1 Emergency
Consumers are urged to reduce their use of electricity voluntarily to
avoid severe conditions.

Stage 2 Emergency
Voluntary interruption of service to select customers is possible to
avoid more severe conditions.

Stage 3 Emergency
Consumers are advised that involuntary interruptions of service have
begun and will continue until the emergency has passed.


Powerful Habits
--  Set thermostat at 78 degrees or higher
--  Cool with fans
--  Draw the drapes
--  Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
--  Use big appliances in early morning or late at night