Rolling blackouts averted

Rolling blackouts were narrowly averted in Palo Alto and throughout the state this morning, when the state Independent System Operator managed to find additional power. But blackouts could occur tonight starting as early as 4 p.m., according to the Palo Alto Utilities Department. The peak usage period is 4 to 7 p.m.

This is the 30th consecutive day that California has been at a Stage 3 alert, which happens when reserves drop below 1.5 percent of needed power.

The next neighborhoods in Palo Alto to be affected when blackouts resume are Downtown North (partial), Green Acres II (partial), Barron Park (partial), Greenmeadow (partial) and Mayfield.

For more information, go to www.cpau.com, the Utilities Department Web site. There is a place on that page for residents to click to find out which "block" they are on in the city's energy grid.

--Don Kazak