CASA Agencies Help Prevent Power Loss During Recent Heat Wave
Once again, CASA agencies have stepped up and helped protect public health and safety in a time of exceptional need. During the recent heat wave, the Governor declared a state of emergency due to impacts on California’s electricity grid, and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued a statewide Flex Alert calling for electricity conservation to help reduce power demands within California. CASA agencies responded by modifying operations in several significant ways, and we want to acknowledge those efforts:

Efforts to reduce demand on the grid included operational changes (pumping and treatment changes, increased use of biogas from digestion/co-digestion, use of backup generators, and use of other alternative renewables including solar. Members of whom we are aware who were able to reduce demand include: Fairfield-Suisun SD, San Bernardino MWD, City of Ventura, West County Wastewater, City of Livermore, Carpinteria SD, Union SD and Sacramento County Regional SD.

Without the conservation and efforts of these agencies and other Californians, the state could have experienced broad rolling system outages. Instead, CASA agencies heeded the call to reduce power use during flex alerts while maintaining essential water/wastewater service, and such outages were avoided. We also know that many agencies reached out to their customers through communications channels to help spread the message of conservation and the need to reduce energy use this week, and we appreciate those efforts as well.

A huge thank you to all the agencies that went above and beyond during this unprecedented heat wave! If your agency made similar efforts but was not identified above, please let CASA know by emailing Adam Link (alink@casaweb.org) and Greg Kester (gkester@casaweb.org) directly. We will be sharing your efforts with the State Water Board, California Energy Commission, and the Governor’s office in the coming weeks.