tentenAs summer temperatures begin to rise to record highs in California, the state announced that DMV offices will begin closing at 3 p.m. to conserve energy.
The early closures will take place until at least Wednesday and any appointments already scheduled after 2:30 p.m. will be rescheduled for a later date.
The California ISO declared a Stage 3 emergency on Friday and issued a “Flex Alert” asking California residents to minimize power use between 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. until August 19.
In an effort to prevent or limit power outages during this heat wave, the California #ISO issued a statewide #FlexAlert for today – Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Learn more: https://t.co/U5yYGRfQjT pic.twitter.com/mJCmqLPHnq
— California ISO (@California_ISO) August 17, 2020
Rolling blackouts were also instituted for the first time since 2001 in an attempt to curb power use in the state, although Newsom has demanded an investigation into how the blackouts were rolled out. In a letter to the California ISO, Newsom wrote, “These blackouts, which occurred without prior warning or enough time for preparation, are unacceptable and unbefitting of the nation’s largest and most innovative state.”
In response Monday, Newsom signed an emergency heat proclamation with the intent to prevent the need for further rolling blackouts.
“Of course times like these have precipitated pressure on our energy supply across the west, but particularly here in the state of California,” Newsom said Monday in a media conference. “Pressure that began some temporary service interruptions that began on Friday … but are very likely to continue today, Tuesday and likely through Wednesday evening.”
In Los Angeles County, extreme heat warnings have been issued throughout the San Gabriel, San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley. Adding to the heat have been wild fires, particularly the Lake Fire in the Angeles National Forest and the Ranch Fire on the Azusa Canyons, neither of which were close to 50 percent contained as of Monday.