What is a Flex Alert?

Due to hot weather across much of the West and reduced electricity imports, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 24-25, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.A Flex Alert is a call for Californians to voluntarily conserve electricity, particularly during the late afternoon and evening when air conditioners are typically at peak use. Multiple watches, warnings in place as temperatures rise and winds pick upDuring a Flex Alert, the California ISO asks consumers to take three steps: Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits Postpone using major appliances until after 9 p.m. Turn off all unnecessary lightsThe ISO says taking these steps can help avoid more serious steps to protect the power grid, such as rotating power outages.According to the California ISO website, electricity demand is expected to be around 5 p.m. on Tuesday.