California Tells Public to Prepare for Heatwave, Power Prices Soar

California Tells Public to Prepare for Heatwave, Power Prices Soar
Towers carrying electrical lines are shown, in South San Francisco, Calif., on Aug. 30, 2007. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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The California power grid operator told the public to prepare to conserve energy next week if needed as homes and businesses crank up their air conditioners to escape what is forecast to be a brutal heatwave.

Already, power prices across the U.S. West spiked to their highest since the February freeze when natural gas pipelines and wind turbines froze in Texas leaving millions without power.