Hot Season May Bring Southland Blackouts

Parts of Southern California could endure blackouts this summer if the region suffers from unusually hot weather, state energy officials said Tuesday in a newly revised forecast.

Power supplies in areas served by Southern California Edison Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric Co. could come up short by 1.5%, or 2,000 megawatts, during periods of peak demand in September, according to the forecast, which was released at a special hearing of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.