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 alert was declared at 1:45 a.m. 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 transmission system.

A Stage Three alert is called when operating reserves fall below 1 and one-half percent capacity.

Block 7 lost power from noon to 1 p.m. Between 1 and 2 p.m., Block 14 and part of Block 13 were taken off the grid. Block 12 is scheduled to lose power at 2 p.m. 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. That page includes information on to determine which grid block your address is in.