Possible Rotating Blackouts Beginning at 2:30 P.m. Today; Outages Required 
Due to Supply Limitations



FOLSOM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2001--The California Independent 
System Operator (California ISO) is notifying the public of the possibility 
of rotating customer outages beginning around 2:30 p.m. today, Thursday, May 
31, 2001.

Conservation efforts will help lessen the severity and duration of possible 
outages. All Californians are urged to rededicate their efforts to save as 
much energy as possible during this emergency situation. Please monitor the 
ISO website at www.caiso.com under System Conditions for updates.

Specific information about the location and timing of the outages must be 
obtained from the local utilities. California ISO anticipates reaching a peak 
load of 37,882 megawatts at approximately 4:00 p.m. this evening. Stage One 
and Stage Two Emergencies remain in effect all day, until 12 midnight.



???????ISO TELECONFERENCE CALL

???????Time: ??????????????????3:00 p.m.
???????Phone: ?????????????????1-800-374-1387
???????Passcode: ??????????????ISO News

Stage Three of the state's Electrical Emergency Plan (EEP) is required when 
operating reserves fall below one-and-a-half percent. The California ISO's 
EEP is part of the state's enhanced reliability standards created by landmark 
legislation Assembly Bill 1890, which restructured California's electricity 
industry.

California ISO 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. The not-for-profit public-benefit corporation assumed 
the responsibility in March, 1998, when California opened its energy markets 
to competition and the state's investor-owned utilities turned their private 
transmission power lines over to the California ISO to manage. The mission of 
the California ISO is to safeguard the reliable delivery of electricity, 
facilitate markets and ensure equal access to a 12,500 circuit mile "electron 
highway."

Other helpful contacts:

Pacific Gas and Electric, 415/973-5930 Southern California Edison, 
626/302-2255 San Diego Gas and Electric, 877/866-2066



???CONTACT: California ISO, Folsom
????????????Stephanie McCorkle, 888/516-NEWS
????????????Director of Communications