Rolling blackouts hit Palo Alto

Rolling blackouts went into effect at noon today in Palo Alto, starting with "Block 7," which includes the area around the Palo Alto Arts Center. A statewide stage three emergency was declared at 1:45 a.m. this monrning by the California Independent System Operator, which is charged with managing the flow of electricity along the long-distance, high-voltage power lines that make up the bulk of California's transimission system.

A stage three emergency is called when operating reserves fall below 1 and one-half percent capacity.

Updates on the situation, and information on which blocks are affected, can be found at the city Utility Department's Web site at www.cpau.com.