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Title: California ISO Warns of Slim Electric Power Reserves; Control Room Contingency Drill to Coincide with News Conference

Story Filed: Monday, May 08, 2000 1:13 PM EST

FOLSOM, Calif., May 8, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The California Independent System Operator (California ISO) will unveil its Power Watch 2000 awareness campaign at a news conference Wednesday, May 10, 2000 at the ISO's Folsom control center, 151 Blue Ravine Road. As summer approaches, the California ISO is getting the public ready to heed the call for conservation--in the event of shortfalls in electricity reserves. The media event comes on the first in a series of ongoing operations drills to prepare for contingencies in case of power shortages. It also times with the ISO's release of its outlook for summer electricity reserves. A surging economy during the transition into a competitive electricity market is causing a rising demand for electricity. New power plants are not expected to go online until 2002. The California ISO, which assumed control of the state's open-market power grid in 1998, expects to have enough operating reserves on hand to ensure reliability this summer. However, as a precaution, the California ISO is urging consumers to voluntarily cut down on electricity use if the weather becomes extremely hot.

BACKGROUND

Power Watch 2000 alerts will keep an eye on the state's appetite for electricity. They will be issued by the California ISO when air conditioner use soars as the mercury on thermometers climbs. The media advisories will include forecasts for peak electricity demand and include conservation tips. They will be sent 24 hours prior to forecasted high-demand periods, and precede activation of state's Electrical Emergency Plan stages. The California ISO is asking statewide media to help warn consumers in the unlikely event electricity reserves run low. By doing their part to conserve kilowatts, Californians can make a big difference in helping "keep the lights on."

SPECIFICS

Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Place: ISO Control Center

151 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom

VISUALS

-- Operations drill within the ISO's power grid control center -- Beta and 3/4" b-roll tape

SPEAKER

-- Terry Winter, California ISO President & Chief Executive Officer Distributed via COMTEX.

Copyright (C) 2000 Business Wire. All rights reserved.

CONTACT: California ISO Patrick Dorinson, (888) 516-NEWS KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENERGY UTILITIES http://library.northernlight.com/FB20000508970000030.html?cb=0&dx=2006&sc=0#doc

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), May 08, 2000