Calif Gov tells state agencies to conserve energy

LOS ANGELES - - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered state agencies to cut their power use following a recent surge in demand for electricity caused partly by a recovering state economy.

"As the economy grows here in California, so does demand for energy. To get through this peak demand season in the short term it will be essential to conserve and invest in energy efficiency," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

The state is attempting to avoid a repeat of the rolling blackouts seen in 2000-2001 when a shortage of electricity was exacerbated by market manipulation by suppliers.

Schwarzenegger signed an executive order directing state agencies to cut back on power use while hosting an energy conservation summit in Sacramento that was attended by utilities, regulators and business leaders.

The meeting followed three consecutive days last week of record breaking demand and a warning by the state's power grid operator that there could be "some tight days ahead."

The California Independent System Operator, which controls about 75 percent of the state's power grid, reported demand for power was at an all-time high of 44,360 megawatts on July 21, the third consecutive day a new peak had been set.

One megawatt traditionally is enough power for 1,000 homes although during the summer in hotter, inland areas it may only be sufficient for about 250 homes.

CONSUMPTION CLIMBS

The state's second largest utility, Southern California Edison, reported on Tuesday that consumption in its service territory has climbed by 4.6 percent this year.

The utility, a unit of Edison International, cited economic recovery, lower rates and reduced conservation.

Electricity rates for customers of the state's investor owned utilities were raised during the crisis to help recoup soaring power purchase costs and have only recently been cut. SCE noted its residential rates are currently around 12 percent below last year's levels.

The rise in demand has also been linked to increased development in more affordable but hotter inland areas where there is heavy air conditioning related demand for power.

"We are adding about 60,000 new electric customers to our system and a large proportion are located in (hotter) inland areas. It takes a lot of energy to cool those homes down," Pacific Gas and Electric spokeswoman Jennifer Ramp said.

San Francisco-based Pacific Gas & Electric, a unit of PG&E Corp., is the state's largest utility.

Claudia Chandler, spokeswoman for the state's energy planning agency, the California Energy Commission, said the recovery in the state's economy had been faster than expected.