As heat wave looms, California seeks reductions in power usage Robert Besser 12 Jul 2021, 10:29 GMT+10 California power officials have asked consumers to use less electricity, in a bid to prevent the imposition of blackouts California officials issued a "flex" alert, asking Californians to conserve energy nightly from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The heat wave that struck the United States and Canada in July strained power grids in California and Texas, causing charges for electricity to significantly increase LOS ANGELES, California: California power officials have asked consumers to use less electricity, in a bid to prevent the imposition of blackouts. California officials issued a "flex" alert, asking Californians to conserve energy nightly from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., fearing the high demand during the ongoing extreme heat could trigger a shortfall in the state's electric grid.