– The state’s grid operator, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), credits conservation efforts over the past few days for maintaining grid stability and has encouraged customers to continue to answer the call.

Here are ways for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers to reduce the strain on the power supply:

• Pre-cool home or workspace. Lower the thermostat in the morning. As the temperature rises outside, raise the thermostat, and circulate the pre-cooled air with a fan.

– Washer and dryer – Dishwasher – Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals

• Close shades: Sunlight passing through windows heats the home and makes the air conditioner work harder. Block this heat by keeping blinds or drapes closed on the sunny side of the home.

From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.:

• Set thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting: Every degree above 78 represents an appropriately 2% savings on cooling costs.

• When it’s cooler outside, bring the cool air in: If the outside air is cool during the night or early morning, open windows and doors and use fans to cool your home.

• Turn off all unnecessary lights.

New this summer, customers can be rewarded for saving energy when the state’s grid operator calls for conservation. PG&E’s Power Saver Rewards Program is a free, voluntary program financially rewarding participants for temporarily reducing electricity use when demand is high. By conserving energy during Power Saver Rewards events coinciding with Flex Alerts, customers earn $2 for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy saved. More than 1.5 million PG&E customers are enrolled.

Enrolled customers who reduce energy use between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. will receive a credit on their bill at the end of the season. There is no cost or penalty for not reducing energy. Visit powersaver.pge.com to enroll and learn more about the program.

Customers can also help reduce the amount of power on the grid during a Flex Alert by enrolling in PG&E’s SmartAC program, which cycles the air conditioner on and off every 15 minutes for up to six hours on event days. This year, new participants will receive $75 for existing thermostats or $120 off a new purchase of a thermostat with enrollment. Customers cannot be enrolled in both the SmartAC and Power Saver Rewards Programs.

Eligible customers with a Tesla Powerwall battery energy storage system can participate in the PG&E + Telsa virtual power plant. Through this collaboration, Tesla is participating in PG&E’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP) Demand Response pilot by enrolling and combining residential Powerwall home battery systems into a virtual power plant to discharge power back to the grid during times of high demand. Participating customers will receive compensation for the energy their Powerwalls discharge.

Also, extreme hot weather can overload electric equipment causing heat-related power outages. PG&E has a plan and encourages customers to prepare as well. Have a flashlight, radios, and fresh batteries ready.

PG&E does not project a need for a Public Safety Power Shutoff due to this weather, but the company’s meteorology team continues to monitor conditions.

The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.

Man killed in plane crash in Shafter identified as Sherman Smoot #PasoRobles https://wp.me/p2Qysu-D0J

House fire reported on Running Stag Way #PasoRobles https://wp.me/p2Qysu-D0K