calif governor declares state emergency breaking news ca governor declares state emergency posted 2 37 cst jan 18 2001 late wednesday following day rolling blackouts prospect electricity supplies drying throughout west california gov gray davis declared state emergency due power shortage directed state water resources department begin securing power supplies beleaguered state grid making bold move gov davis also announced conservation plan state facilities operations already reached goal reducing energy use 5 emergency proclamation governor said electricity presently available california three major investor owned utilities insufficient prevent widespread prolonged disruptions electric service thus ordering state agencies use resources whatever alleviate power shortage went specifically empower water resources agency key player helping state transmission grid operator cal iso narrowly avoid blackouts avoid felt pervasively throughout state noting peak electrical loads state buildings institutions target 200 mw reduction water resources department peak pumping load reduced 450 mw gov davis lauded californians stepped plate dramatically reduced appetite electricity noting state already 47 th nation among lowest per capita energy use state electricity prices 10 th highest nation