http://www.caiso.com/docs/2001/02/28/2001022810380515632.pdf

STAGE 2 EMERGENCY NOTICE [200100838]

The California Independent System Operator is implementing Stage 2 of the Electrical Emergency Plan for the period 02/28/2001 10:00 through 02/28/2001 23:59.

The CAISO is continuing to request additional Supplemental Energy bids during this period. The Plan has been implemented for the following reason(s):

Loss of Generation

Participating Transmission Owners are to notify the Utility Distribution Companies within their operational areas.

Stage 2: Operating reserves are currently, or forecast to be, below 5%.

The UDC will implement interruptible service programs AS DIRECTED BY THE ISO and will take all additional actions necessary in preparation for immediate implementation of electrical emergency plans and await further orders from the ISO.

Advise the UDC to prepare for possible implementation of involuntary firm demand reductions.

This message is from Market Operations at the California ISO.

Notice issued at: 02/28/2001 09:39

The system conditions described in this communication are dynamic and subject to change. While the ISO has attempted to reflect the most current, accurate information available in preparing this notice, system conditions may change suddenly with little or no notice.

-- Swissrose (cellier3@mindspring.com), February 28, 2001

Answers

California Independent System Operator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick Dorinson

February 28, 2001 Director of Communications

1 (888) 516-NEWS

STAGE TWO ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY ISSUED BY CALIFORNIA ISO

Conservation Efforts Today are Crucial

(Folsom, CA) At 9:40 a.m. the California Independent System Operator (California ISO) declared a Stage Two Electrical Emergency today, Wednesday, February 28, 2001. This morning, several significant generation sources – one in Northern California, one in Oregon and two in Montana -- were lost, necessitating this Emergency declaration. A total of 10,600 megawatts of California power plants are unavailable today due to planned and forced outages and a limited amount of imports are available from the Northwest. Conservation plays a large part in the California ISO’s efforts to “keep the lights on.” Californians are encouraged to continue, and step-up, their conservation efforts as much as possible today. The Stage Two is in effect until midnight tonight. Demand across the California ISO Control Area is expected to peak at 29,127 megawatts around 6:00 p.m. this evening. With the Stage Two declaration, the California ISO is able to access emergency resources that will help maintain operating reserves today. At this time, the ISO has not requested that the utilities’ voluntary interruptible customers, mainly commercial and industrial users, come off line.

-- PHO (owennos@bigfoot.com), February 28, 2001.

On top of whatever other problems CAISO will face with generating units today, I hope this doesn't lead to more units dropping offline:

************************************************* Earthquake Shakes Pacific Northwest

AP Story Filed: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 2:17 PM EST

SEATTLE (AP) -- A strong earthquake shook the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday, shattering windows in downtown Seattle and rattling Portland, Ore., for nearly half a minute. There was no immediate word of injuries.

The magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit at approximately 10:55 a.m., according to federal officials at the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska. It was centered 30 miles southwest of Seattle.

The quake was felt as far away as Salt Lake City.

In downtown Portland, office buildings swayed for 20 to 30 seconds, and local television stations were deluged by calls from viewers reporting rolling motion across the area.

-- Andre Weltman (aweltman@state.pa.us), February 28, 2001.