SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 30, 2007
Triple-Digit Heat Prompts Power Emergency
As Western States Broil, California May Set Energy Demand Record, Takes Steps To Avoid Blackouts
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(CBS)
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Photo Essay Summer Scorcher As temperatures soar around the world, everyone's looking for ways to keep cool.
The declaration of the Stage 1 emergency is the least worrisome of three steps preceding rolling blackouts, in which power is cut to certain regions to avoid a systemwide crash. The announcement triggered conservation efforts by state agencies and a general call for California's 37 million residents to turn down air conditioners and restrict the use of heavy appliances during hot afternoon hours.
For a second straight day, energy demand surged 1,000 megawatts above forecasts, according to the California Independent System Operator. If that trend continues on Thursday, California would set a new all-time record for energy demand and come close to using all the available electricity resources that are forecast for the state.
"We're tapping our operating reserves and we are stepping up our calls for conservation, but we are still a long way from a Stage 3 alert and blackouts," said Stephanie McCorkle, a spokeswoman for the independent system operator.
The agency manages the flow of power over lines owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric Co., the state's largest investor-owned utilities.
Peak demand for Thursday is expected to be 49,572 megawatts, but McCorkle said that could be revised upward based on the trend of the past two days.
California's all-time record energy demand of 50,270 megawatts was set last July during a two-week heat wave blamed for hundreds of deaths.
Electricity is in scarce supply this week because temperatures are high simultaneously in the northern and southern parts of the state, as well as throughout the West.
Temperatures were expected to reach 108 on Thursday in Fresno and 103 in Sacramento, while ranging from 87 to 100 in the Los Angeles area. The San Francisco Bay area also was forecast to have above-average temperatures.
High temperatures throughout Arizona, New Mexico and much of the West also are complicating the state's efforts to pull in energy.
Sweltering temperatures have caused discomfort, and even deaths, across the country this summer. Last week the Arkansas Department of Health said six people have died this summer as a result of the sustained triple-digit temperatures baking the region; two of those deaths were of individuals working outside during the heat wave.
In Alabama, which has received long-sought relief in the form of thunderstorms, 12 deaths have been attributed to the weeks-long heat wave. At least four deaths were recorded in Georgia.
In Tennessee, where there have been 15 confirmed heat-related deaths during the current heat wave, authorities in Portland say a man helping build a house was found dead and his death may be related to the high temperatures.
Assistant Police Chief Richard Smith says fellow construction workers found Charles Brown, Jr., on the floor with both arms clutched over his chest. The 29-year-old Brown had been hanging drywall in a closet, which he says had no ventilation and was - in Smith's words - "horribly warm."
Brown had no known medical condition.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Almost 10% of the entire US electrical energy generated is wasted during transmission in the current power grid. I think the power companies should really accelerate the adoption of American Superconductor''s proven technology to reduce energy loss in transmission.
Another good idea I heard is to encourage more people to use electrical vehicle (e.g. Phoenix Motorcar http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com). These electrical vehicles, when plugged in, can also act as many large batteries for the national grid to cover peak usage like the case in this heat wave.
Remember the horse & buggy. By the year 2100 one would hope that electric cars will be the mode of transport. Back in the 1960''s there were still electric trolley cars in some large cities. GM and the city powers replaced the electric trolley with smoke belching diesel buses.
When Power demands are greatest and brown-outs may occur, The power companys want to be able to temporarily bump up the Kilowatt Price to encourage power saving behavior.
McDonalds could take lessons: "We''re short on fries, double the price on what%u2019s left"
Next thing you know we''ll have every company in America jerking us around like the Oil Companies!
Now WHY would anyone have to heat their pool if the temperatures are that high?
Al Gore doesn''t strike me as being an idiot.
its that simple.
Absolutely, because it is the size of Al Gore''s electric bill that makes global warming a falsehood.
Why did Bush zero the budget of US geothermal technology, when we were ramping it up to where it could produce up to 30% of electrical needs in this country. Zero''d the budget. Flat-lined it. Killed it. Why is that?
And of course, we all know this rich oil-barren trust fund baby has solar power on his own oh-so-modest Crawford, TX ranch. He is about the only one that can afford solar since it costs $20,000 to rig a house. Why is it so expensive to go solar? Why is that?
And why is it that Al Gore''s electric bill was published but not Bush''s? Why is that?
It''s fun to point out hypocrasies of the powerful. It''s not useful because individual contributions don''t matter, only bulk contributions. The fact is, efforts to significantly combat global warming require regulations that increase average mpg in cars, efficiency in buildings, and renewables in energy generation. It''s pretty clear which politicians have opposed these regulations, and which have supported them. So, yes, there are people we can blame for global warming, but they aren''t the people you mentioned.
Sorry I don''t live with my head up my ***, but I am not blaming uncontrolled things on people that I disagree with politically.
Posted by rfcnj68 at 12:40 PM : Aug 30, 2007
What about those of us that live 30 miles from town? Even in town there isn''t any public transportation. It''s called small towns. Public transportation isn''t available to everyone. Someone else said tax the gas higher. That won''t help us out here where we already live with smaller wages due to smaller populations. I agree though, in the larger cities that more people need to take public transportation.
Posted by retmilspouse
So true, and you may have added, stick your head as far up your a*ss as possible.
Get real people and take personal responsibility for your self and your actions. The world is not coming to an end, all the weird weather is not GWB''s fault, no one is making billions off of other peoples misery (ie Haliburton). Stop trying to find a conspiracy around every corner. Live Life, have a good time, pray daily and keep your families safe.
Maybe we should make Algore turn off the heater on his outdoor pool. That would help some, wouldn''t it?
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Posted by chicagopoet at 12:36 PM : Aug 30, 2007
So right. The U.S. Government should be collecting a $1.00 tax on motor fuels and using the money to build a nationwide electrical powered mass transit system. World Oil production will peak in 2010 and by 2050 no one will be able to buy motor fuels made from oil. The current US economy cannot survive with out this system. And please don''t let Halliburton anywhere near the project.
Reality, most problems are caused by the social engineering perpetrated by the Socialists and their uninformed followers. Global warming may be happening but it is also happening on every inner planet in this solar system and it happens in cycles as it has for billions of years, you can''t dispute the data that NASA has compiled for decades.
- by chicagopoet August 30, 2007 3:36 PM EDT
- Say hello to global warming. We better start doing something about it. First step, end the war. Second step, invest in infrastructure. John Edwards is the answer.
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