Heat Wave Sparks Fear About Power Shortages

July 6, 2007 — -- Record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures are stretching from Nevada to the mountains of Washington state.

By 9 a.m. Thursday, the mercury had hit 100 degrees in Las Vegas. Power failed in about 1,000 homes when older transformers buckled under the heat. With temperatures nearing 116, the heat was unbearable for many.

California is entering the fourth day of extreme heat, reminding many people of the 11-day heat wave last year that caused 131 deaths and brought the state's power grid to its knees.

With every degree the temperature rises, so does concern about the power supply.

Last year nearly 800,000 homes lost power in Southern California when heat and high demand knocked out hundreds of transformers. This year, Los Angeles is stockpiling new transformers and preparing for what could be the hottest summer on record.

California is also hoping to stave off what happened in 2001, when demand overwhelmed the power supply and rolling blackouts rocked the state. About 140 people died as the state struggled to get the power back online.

California's largest utility, CAL-ISO, says that the energy grid is in much better shape and that it does not expect a repeat of 2001. To make sure of that, the utility has already called three energy alerts this week asking residents to conserve power.