Calif. Starts Summer with a Power Alert

Reuters ^ | 28 May 2003 | James Jelter

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Calif. Starts Summer with a Power Alert Reuters Wednesday, May 28, 2003; 8:01 PM By James Jelter

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California energy officials declared a power emergency on Wednesday -- the first in nearly a year -- in what could be the start of another long, hot summer for the energy-starved state.

Despite state officials' assurances of adequate power, heavy air conditioning during the year's first heat wave nearly depleted supplies, prompting calls for emergency energy from generators and public pleas to save energy.

California's 35 million residents, hit by blackouts and daily calls to douse lights during the state's 2000-01 energy crisis, have not weathered a power alert since July 10, 2002.

The Stage One alert, the lowest on the state's three-tiered power emergency plan, was declared through 8 p.m. Pacific Time (11 p.m. Eastern) by the California Independent System Operator, the group that manages the high-voltage power grid.

ISO spokesman Gregg Fishman explained temperatures statewide had been running much higher than forecast, leaving too little power to go around.

But the situation was easing as the sun slipped lower in the sky and blackouts were not seen as a likely threat.

"We're definitely over the hump," Fishman said, adding the weather was forecast to cool slightly on Thursday.

"Theoretically things should be better tomorrow," he said.

Power demand typically peaks on hot summer days at around 4 p.m. when air conditioning siphons off about a third of all the megawatts on the grid.

And air conditioners got a good workout Wednesday, with temperatures in inland cities like Fresno, Bakersfield and suburbs east of Los Angeles topping 100 degrees F (38 C), a blistering early taste of summer.

SURPRISE

The alert caught most Californian's off guard.

Within the past week a variety of state officials reassured residents that power shortages were unlikely this summer following an aggressive campaign to build new power plants, conserve energy, and sort out the volatile electricity market.

Earlier Wednesday, a report by the California Energy Commission claimed the state appeared in good shape and that power demand "will be reliably served ... through 2004-2006."

The commission plays a key role in planning energy policy and is responsible for licensing new power plants.

Meanwhile, the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates investor-owned utilities in the state, appealed to residents to conserve electricity.

"We are expecting a hotter than normal summer, and energy efficiency and conservation are a large part of our energy action plan," said Sheri Inouye, spokeswoman for the CPUC. (Additional reporting by Nigel Hunt, Los Angeles, and Leonard Anderson, San Francisco)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Way to go Amy!

[randog]

It's kinda toasty in the Sacramento area today.

Same in Reno. We broke the record for this date with 96 degrees. It's hard to believe I was wearing my winter clothes just 3 weeks ago.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Yes ma'am. I have the air on.

AND I did (gasp!) laundry!!!!

[Myrddin]

It was 96 degrees with 24% humidity in Pocatello, Idaho at 7 PM. Hot, but not terribly uncomfortable with the low humidity. My 7,000 BTU air conditioner is helping to compensate for the two 2 GHz computers keeping the room warm. I'm holding it to 84 degrees inside.

[Timesink]

DAVIS ENERGY
Building a Bridge to the 19th Century

[dalereed]

I only wore long pants for 6 weeks, been in shorts since mid January.

It was pretty nice at the beach here today, mid 70s.

[JustAmy]

Where at the beach? We are headed for Morro Bay tomorrow for a couple of days.

[Frohickey]

Stage 1: Operating reserves are currently, or forecast to be, less than minimum. Advise the Utility Distribution Company of potential power shortages and request the UDC to advise end-use customers to reduce demand to minimum requirements without disruption of employment or curtailment of industrial production or commerce.

You would think that end-use customers would be trying to reduce their demand for power since that cuts into the bottom line. Any power that they use would, by definition, be for employment, production, or commerce. Whenever one of these Stage One Alerts or so happens, you are cutting power to the economic engine in California.

I see another budget deficit next year in California. People not working to full capacity or people not spending as much money in commerce cuts down on state tax revenue. And since the DemocRAT controlled legislature (both houses) are not cutting spending...

[topher]

I was reading an article how some "power utilities" would be good investments. It turns out those that are based mainly on coal fired generating plants are the best right now.

Natural gas prices will continue to be high -- the underground storage has to reach 1,700 bcf (billion cubic feet), and it is only at 1,000 bcf. It needs to be at that level before winter comes because we cannot produce enough Natural Gas in the winter to keep up.

Because of the environmental wackos of California, there are few coal fired plants -- they only want clean burning natural gas plants.

The biggest problem with electric generating plants is that it takes 2 years to build a natural gas fired plant, but it takes 5 years for a coal fired plant.

That means that the capital investment has to be there for 5 years before THERE IS ANY RETURN ON THE DOLLAR.

In a sense, the environmental wackos are really to blame for this mess. They have put hurdle after hurdle in the way of building new power plants and producing power.

Natural Gas prices will stay around $5 per thousand cubic feet for some time... At least until the underground storage is filled. If the West suffers from prolonged heat, then it may even boost Natural Gas prices...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

In a sense, the environmental wackos are really to blame for this mess. They have put hurdle after hurdle in the way of building new power plants and producing power.

Absolutely right!

[NormsRevenge]

WooHoo !!! Bring 'em on!!!

We are in a Block 1 zone and we're next in the blackout cycle. I remember the first blackout from 2 years ago about this time.

Deja Vu , all over again? Oh , the irony.

[John Jorsett]

I can't increase the power, governor, I'm givin' her all she's got!

[Grampa Dave]

It was 96 at 3 pm today in the Wine Country in the Shade.

The most rivers wit a power plant below the dams have been cranking out water a fast clip for a couple of weeks past what should have take care of the late April rains.

This site will show how much more water is flowing over the long time median at real time measurements.

This is the third summer that we have had very high and dangerous flows of down stream water.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow

[randog]

I only wore long pants for 6 weeks, been in shorts since mid January. It was pretty nice at the beach here today, mid 70s.

Don't wanna hear it. ;^)

[hedgetrimmer]

Good thing Gray doesn't govern Panama.


A protester holds a rock at the University of Panama in Panama City, Panama, Wednesday, May 28, 2003. Students took to the streets Wednesday, to protest a possible raise of electricity prices (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Did we have a recent heavy snow melt!

Some of those flows are double the seasonal average!

[Grampa Dave]

There were some late season snows in the Sierra's and in the snow belt of N. California.

We had some rains in late April and early May.

However, these very high releases are like those two summers ago when I sounded the high release alarms. Except they started earlier and have continued at very high rates.

We have had no new significant power plants since the crisis started 3 years ago. So we are more dependent on hydro power.

The good news re our economy is that in parts of No. California we are plugging back to a fairly full economy. Our unemployment rates are below 4% in many areas up here. That has placed a higher demand on electricity than last year. The poor economy and cool summer saved Davis's butt last year. An improving economy and even normal high temps could mean a lot of blackout days/nights.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

An improving economy and even normal high temps could mean a lot of blackout days/nights.

Bring it on!

[snopercod]

Morro Bay? Have some squid n' chips at The Fish Bowl for me, please.

[snopercod]

I find it interesting that they even issued the Stage I. Several times over the past year they were in an alert condition, but failed to call it. Did the CaISO have a regime change?