A stretch of scorching temperatures could put Southern California’s power grid to the test next week as residents increasingly turn to air conditioning to escape the heat.

With electricity use expected to climb, utilities are asking customers to cut back on power consumption when possible to reduce pressure on the grid and the risk of outages.

Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network, said California isn’t doing enough to increase capacity for the state’s grid. He said the state could invest more in clean energy generation and storage.

Toney pointed to one recent policy decision as an example of where he believes California could do more.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 1813 on Sept. 30, legislation authored by Assemblymember Christopher Ward that would have created a customer renewable energy subscription program aimed at expanding access to community renewable energy projects. The Utility Reform Network supported the legislation. 

“Community solar and storage is a way to increase clean energy generation, and so that would be an example, a very specific example, of something the state could do,” Toney said.

A major factor during heat waves is solar power, which not only provides electricity during the day but helps charge batteries that can supply power later, Toney explained.

“It’s easier on a sunny day when you have abundant solar power in the middle of the day, and you have the batteries charging up that you can deploy when the sun is going down,” Toney said.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

He added that private funding could have been used to build community solar arrays under the proposal Newsom vetoed.

“That would be the kind of example of a direction the state could go to increase more clean energy, clean storage options,” Toney said.

Toney said California could also invest more heavily in geothermal energy.

“I think that it makes sense to invest more in geothermal versus energy things like that that are available 24/7. That’s clean energy,” Toney said. “I think the state needs to move forward on increasing storage capacity, in reducing fossil fuels.”

Still, Toney said affordability remains a major problem for California electricity customers.

“I think the state needs to do more in addressing the affordability crisis, that the bills are too high, and that’s something the state needs to do more of,” he said.

For now, the California Independent System Operator, known as Cal-ISO, has issued a “Restricted Maintenance Operations” notice from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The notice asks power suppliers “to avoid taking actions which may jeopardize generator and/or transmission availability.”

That said, the agency says California should have enough electricity to meet anticipated demand.

“We are not forecasting any supply shortfalls at this time, but wanted to prepare consumers in the event that we need to call a Flex Alert,” Cal-ISO said in a statement, according to NBC LA. “We will continue to monitor forecasted demand and supply conditions and will provide additional updates as necessary.”

Flex Alerts are voluntary calls for residents to conserve electricity when Cal-ISO anticipates that demand could outpace available power. If the grid comes under more severe strain, the agency can issue higher-level emergency alerts, with rolling blackouts possible under the most serious conditions.

Southern California Edison also warned customers Friday that the prolonged heat could put additional pressure on the electrical system.

The utility said it is “closely monitoring the electric system and preparing for the potential impacts of increased electrical demand.”

“We use every available resource to provide reliable service,” SCE said, according to NBC LA. “Even so, extreme heat can increase energy use and put extra strain on the electric system, which may increase the likelihood of temporary outages.”

The utility is encouraging customers to prepare ahead of time by charging phones and other devices, reviewing emergency plans and ensuring critical equipment has backup power when possible.

SCE is also asking residents to reduce their electricity use between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., particularly by avoiding major appliances during those hours.

“We encourage customers to prepare now for possible outages and periods of increased energy use,” the utility said. “Consider charging mobile devices, reviewing emergency plans and making sure any critical equipment has backup power if available.”

Other utilities are offering similar advice. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power recommends setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher during the hottest parts of the day and avoiding appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners when electricity demand is high.

For those struggling to stay cool, officials also recommend visiting a local cooling center instead of relying solely on air conditioning at home.

The California Post reached out to Governor Gavin Newsom for comment on what the state is doing to increase the state’s power grid capacity, but did not immediately hear back.