July 3, 2001

ROSEMEAD, Calif., July 3, 2001-The California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) has given a "1-hour notification of probable firm load interruption rotating blackouts" to Southern California Edison and the state's other investor-owned utilities.

The Cal-ISO anticipates the possibility for interrupting firm load "rotating blackouts" starting at 3 p.m. today.  Maximum conservation efforts are encouraged at this time.

The Cal-ISO will issue a Stage 3 Emergency "Notice of Load Interruption" when the load interruptions have actually begun or are imminent.

In the event the Cal-ISO initiates a Stage 3 Emergency requiring rotating blackouts, the following SCE rotating outage group would be interrupted:

  • Hour 1 Rotating Outage Group(s): A31, A33 and A34

The alphanumeric rotating outage group number can be located on the upper left portion of the SCE bill, next to the service account number.

Internet users can go to www.sce.com to see what portions of communities might be impacted during rotating outages, view and print maps of these areas, and get other important information on rotating outages-safety tips and conservation.
 
In the event rotating blackouts occur the public should:

  • Exercise extreme caution, especially at intersections where traffic signals may not be functioning;
  • Avoid using elevators anywhere during the Stage 3 Emergency;
  • Do not call 911 due to a power interruption;
  • Check on the medical needs of family and friends;
  • Use flashlights, not candles, if you are without lights;
  • Turn off all electrical equipment in use at the time of a service interruption, including sensitive electronic components;
  • Leave one light bulb turned on to signal that power has been restored; and,
  • If possible, monitor radio and television news stations to stay informed of developments and safety instructions.

Customers not affected by the rotating outages are urged to significantly reduce power consumption at work or home by suspending the use of nonessential equipment.

Businesses, especially industrial and large commercial customers, can most help the situation by reducing office lighting, turning off all auxiliary or redundant machinery where possible, and by shifting or staggering operations, if possible.

SCE will provide updates on the power-supply situation as new developments occur.

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An Edison International company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving more than 11 million people in a 50,000-square-mile area within central, coastal and Southern California.  Information explaining what consumers need to know about rotating outages can be found at www.sce.com.