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California’s Overloaded Power Grid

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With temperatures over 100 degrees in many parts of the state, the California Independent System Operator is calling for voluntary conservation efforts. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

People across the state lost power with almost no warning over the weekend, and there’s a risk it could happen again soon. The California Independent Systems Operator instituted rolling power shutoffs to prevent an uncontrolled loss of power, and is asking people to limit how much electricity they’re using. But why is this even happening in the first place?

Guest: Dan Brekke, KQED editor and reporter

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