LOS ANGELES (AP) – California residents have been asked to voluntarily conserve power again as the heat wave baking the U.S. West strained the state’s energy grid and raised the possibility of rotating outages. The California Independent System Operator has issued a Flex Alert for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. People are urged to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and avoid using major appliances. The governor signed an emergency declaration that would free up additional power if needed. Palm Springs tied an all-time high temperature of 123 degrees. The temperatures were much cooler in the state’s coastal regions.