Transmission Emergency Enters Third Day in Southern California

Business Wire, Oct 24, 2007

California ISO Encourages Conservation

FOLSOM, Calif. -- The transmission system in Southern California continues to be impacted today from the tragic firestorms. The California Independent System Operator Corporation (California ISO) issued a Transmission Emergency today, the third in as many days for Southern California.

Wildfires and smoke have caused transmission lines in many locations in the region to trip out of service for various lengths of time. The San Diego area continues to be hardest hit, where several important transmission lines remain out of service. Some lines have experienced significant damage and there are hundreds of transmission and distribution structures destroyed.

The situation remains volatile today with shifting winds sending some fires back in the direction of high-voltage power lines. When possible, without compromising individual health or welfare, voluntary energy conservation in San Diego can help reduce the strain on the transmission network.

The good news is that power plants in the region are performing well under the added pressure on the grid. In coordination with the ISO, generator owners are making sure their units are available to supply power to compensate for the lack of transmission availability. The California ISO is also working closely with San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, various state agencies and other utilities to coordinate and communicate about grid conditions.

The California ISO is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation charged with managing the flow of electricity along California's open-market wholesale power grid. The mission of the California ISO is to safeguard the reliable delivery of electricity, and ensure equal access to 25,000 circuit miles of "electron highway." As the impartial operator of the wholesale power grid in the state, the California ISO conducts a small portion of the bulk power markets. These markets are used to allocate space on the transmission lines, maintain operating reserves and match supply with demand in real time.