Officials Urging Power Conservation Following Power Plant Fire

A power plants was damaged in a fire Tuesday and officials are urging Pasadena Water and Power customers to conserve power during this week's heat wave to avoid rolling blackouts.

The fire broke out Tuesday morning at Pasadena’s Glenarm Power Plant, after a turbine blade came loose and caused equipment damage and fire, according to a city press release.  The plant's automatic fire supression system kicked in and fire crews were on scene for about two hours.

The utility was then forced to shut down two additional turbines at the plant.  As a result, city power customers will be forced to rely more on imported power, raising the possibility of shortages.  Customers are being asked to keep air conditioner temperatures no lower than 78 degrees, according to the release.

If there is too much energy demand during this week's heat waves then the city's electrical system could overload which "could force PWP to initiate local rolling blackouts with no advance warning," according to the release.