High Temperatures, Demand Cause Blackouts in Calif.

In what was billed a preview of summer, more than 100,000 power customers in California saw hour-long blackouts roll through the state Monday, snarling traffic and shutting down air conditioners in 90-degree heat, wire services reported.

It was the fifth time this year that the state’s supply of electrical power had fallen short of the demand.

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s electricity grid, tried for much of the day to avoid blackouts by asking for cutbacks from customers called “interruptibles” who get cheaper rates because they reduce power use during emergencies.

However, temperatures continued to climb, reaching a record 93 degrees in San Francisco, while temperatures elsewhere in the state ranged from 80 in downtown Los Angeles to 100 in the deserts, the Associated Press noted.

Grid managers had hoped power demand would peak in late afternoon, but it continued to climb, and utilities were ordered to cut 300 megawatts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The outages were carried out in selected cities, within all regions of the state.

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