California power grid operator calls 'Stage 2' emergency Published on September 07, 2020 at 06:51AM by Bay City News Service The California Independent System Operator declared a statewide Stage 2 emergency shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, which means power outages are likely, because of excessive heat driving up electricity demand and use and putting strain on the regional power grid. The nonprofit California ISO oversees the operation of California's bulk electric power system and transmission lines. The California ISO called the emergency after a transmission line carrying power from Oregon to California, and another in-state power plant, went offline unexpectedly. The cause of these outages is unknown as of late Sunday afternoon. The emergency declaration allows the ISO to use reserve power and to tap into emergency assistance from neighboring balancing authorities. During this Stage 2 emergency, if system conditions do not improve, the ISO may declare a Stage 3 emerg