In anticipation of a hot summer, the California IndependentSystem Operator (ISO) this week will kick off its Power Watch 2000awareness campaign during which it will issue media alerts advisingthe public when electricity demand is nearing peak levels and ofthe need to use conservation measures.

The details of the Power Watch campaign will be disclosed duringa press conference Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the ISO’s control centerin Folsom, CA. It will coincide with the first of a series ofongoing operations drills by the ISO to prepare for contingenciesin case of power shortages, and also with the ISO’s release of itsoutlook for summer electricity reserves.

The California ISO, which assumed control of the state’sopen-market power grid in 1998, said it expects to have enoughoperating reserves on hand to ensure reliability of the power gridthis summer. However, as a precaution, it is urging consumers tovoluntarily cut down on electricity consumption during extremelyhot periods.

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