The California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) Wednesdaybegan some joint inspections of off-line power plants as it facedthe possibility of declaring a Stage Three alert. Officials had notdeclared the alert as of press time.

Apparently, Cal-ISO officials think a Stage Three alert may benecessary to force the state’s massive water resources projects toreduce their activities to lessen peak power demands. The projectsare the largest single electricity users in the state because ofthe power needed for pumping vast water supplies from the north tothe south.

“At the request of the CPUC, we are verifying [power] plantsthat are off line and checking to see if there is anything we cando to help get those units back in operation,” said Cal-ISO’sspokesperson, Patrick Dorinson, who noted there would be noofficial report on the results of the inspection for some time.

Dorinson verified that Cal-ISO is concerned about the cold wavecoming down from Canada causing severe natural gas and electricshortfalls for California, greatly cutting prospects for importingpower.

As of 3 p.m. PST, the Cal-ISO did not expect to set a coldweather record for power demand Wednesday.

“In order to get some emergency assistance we may have todeclare a Stage Three, but not take anyone off,” Dorinson said.”The state would be dropping some pump load, and a three-levelalert is necessary to get that.”

©Copyright 2000 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.