Dozens of cooling centers opened across California as a scorching heat wave strained the state's electrical grid and left many residents without power. Nearly 14,000 customers were without power late Sunday, largely because of increased demand on air conditioners. Highs reached 109 degrees in Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley and more than 100 degrees in other parts of the state.
The California Independent System Operator, which oversees the state's power grid, said no major shortages were expected through Monday. However, officials urged customers to continue conserving electricity by setting air conditioning thermostats higher and waiting to use major appliances until after dark.
The DWP said its power load peaked at 6,107 megawatts at midafternoon Friday, second only to its all-time record peak of 6,165 megawatts on July 24, 2006.
So it's cooler than last year?