Stage Two power emergency declared for fourth straight day

LOS ANGELES - Temperatures topping 100 degrees across many areas of Southern California prompted state officials to clamp down on power use for a fourth straight day.

Businesses that had previously agreed to reduce power during periods of high consumption were asked to do so Thursday after the Independent System Operator declared a Stage Two Emergency.

Some businesses receive a reduced rate in exchange for their promise to cut power when asked.

The ISO, which manages about 75 percent of California's power grid, also urged households to reduce power use by setting thermostats to 78 degrees, using fans instead of air conditioners and restricting the use of large appliances to early in the morning or late at night.

The Stage Two Emergency was in effect until 6 p.m. Such an alert is called when usage reaches 95 percent of available power.

Temperatures were over 100 degrees in some desert and inland communities Thursday. The mercury reached 106 in China Lake, 104 in Bakersfield and 102 in Fresno. The temperature reached a high of 92 in downtown Los Angeles, rising to the high 90s in the area's valleys. Temperatures at the beaches were in the high 70s.