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Californians Told To Go Easy On Power Amid Heat

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The heat has yet to break, but Californians are being urged to turn down their air conditioners.

Operators of the state's electricity grid have declared a Flex Alert for Tuesday, telling customers to curb their power use as California's inland regions face yet another day of sky-high heat.

The California Independent System Operator says conservation will be critical with peak demand forecast at 47,500 megawatts.

Customers are being asked to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees or higher, to wait until after 7 p.m. to use major appliances and to turn off anything that isn't necessary.

A similar alert was issued for Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued excessive-heat warnings from Santa Barbara County through southeastern California and in much of the San Joaquin Valley.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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