Heatwave Continues Across the State; Customers Urged to Conserve
06 September 2022 - 3:00PM
Business Wire
PG&E Stays Poised to Respond to Possible
Heat-Related Power Outages
Grid Operator Issues Another Flex Alert for
Tuesday, Sept. 6
As excessive heat continues to bake California and the West,
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) continues to encourage
customers to reduce demand on the grid. With temperatures for
Tuesday forecast to be, once again, into triple digits, PG&E is
prepared in all manner to respond to heat-related power outages,
should they occur.
Tuesday will mark the seventh consecutive day the state’s grid
operator, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), has
called a Flex Alert. The alerts urge consumers to reduce their
energy consumption between 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. to help reduce stress
on the statewide power grid. A series of days of record-high
temperatures has created an enormous demand for energy to power air
conditioners, among other challenges.
Today could be among the most challenging days ever for our
state’s energy grid. CAISO is forecasting Tuesday’s peak statewide
electricity demand to be 50,087 megawatts (MW), which is just below
the record of 50,270 MW set in 2006.
Widespread heat events pose unique challenges to the state’s
energy grid. In addition to the energy supply concerns driving Flex
Alerts, sustained high temperatures have the potential to damage
electrical equipment, leading to local outages. PG&E has
activated its Emergency Operations Center and is mobilizing the
necessary personnel and materials to be able to restore power
safely and efficiently.
PG&E Programs Encourage Conservation
PG&E appreciates its customers for answering the call for
conservation and for participating in the company’s energy-saving
programs.
New this summer, customers can be rewarded for saving energy
when the state’s grid operator calls for conservation. PG&E’s
Power Saver Rewards Program is a free, voluntary program
financially rewarding participants for temporarily reducing
electricity use when demand is high. By conserving energy during
Power Saver Rewards events coinciding with Flex Alerts, customers
earn $2 for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy saved. More than 1.5
million PG&E customers are enrolled.
Enrolled customers who reduce energy use between 4 p.m. and 9
p.m. will receive a credit on their bill at the end of the season.
There is no cost or penalty for not reducing energy. Visit
powersaver.pge.com to easily enroll and learn more about the
program.
Customers can also help reduce the amount of power on the grid
during a Flex Alert by enrolling in PG&E’s SmartAC program,
which cycles the air conditioner on and off every 15 minutes for up
to six hours on event days. This year, new participants will
receive $75 for existing thermostats or $120 off a new purchase of
a thermostat with enrollment. Customers cannot be enrolled in both
the SmartAC and Power Saver Rewards Programs.
How Customers Can Reduce Energy Today
Here are ways for PG&E customers to reduce stress on
statewide power supply:
Today, before 4 p.m.:
- Pre-cool home or workspace. Lower the thermostat in the
morning. As the temperature rises outside, raise the thermostat,
and circulate the pre-cooled air with a fan.
- Use major appliances, including:
- Washer and dryer
- Dishwasher
- Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals
- Charge electric vehicles.
- Close shades: Sunlight passing through windows heats the
home and makes the air conditioner work harder. Block this heat by
keeping blinds or drapes closed on the sunny side of the home.
Today, during the Flex Alert from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
- Set thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health
permitting: Every degree above 78 represents an appropriately
2% savings on cooling costs.
- When it’s cooler outside, bring the cool air in: If the
outside air is cool during the night or early morning, open windows
and doors and use fans to cool your home.
- Avoid using major appliances.
- Turn off all unnecessary lights.
- Avoid charging electric vehicles.
How Customers Can Prepare for Potential Power Outages
PG&E has a plan to respond to heat-related power outages and
encourages customers to prepare as well.
- Have a flashlight, radios, and fresh batteries ready.
For more information on how to prepare for an emergency, visit
PG&E’s Safety Action Center.
- Use cooling centers to stay cool or during a power
outage. Check with your city or county, or the Governor’s
Office of Emergency Services list and map of cooling centers
statewide.
- Operate personal generators safely. Follow the owner’s
manual and perform a visual inspection before starting or operating
a generator. When setting up a generator, place it on a flat,
stable surface to reduce the likelihood of it tipping over. To
prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never operate an engine-powered
generator in an enclosed space or inside a house or a tent.
PG&E does not project a need for a Public Safety Power
Shutoff due to this weather, but the company’s meteorology team
continues to monitor conditions.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric
utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square
miles in Northern and Central California. For more information,
visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220906005452/en/
Marketing & Communications | 415.973.5930 | www.pge.com
PG&E (NYSE:PCG)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Mär 2024 bis Apr 2024
PG&E (NYSE:PCG)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Apr 2023 bis Apr 2024