PJM Interconnection, the operator of the nation's largest power grid, has escalated emergency procedures to avert blackouts. The move comes as a severe heat wave pushes electricity demand to record highs across the mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
On Thursday, the grid saw demand hit an all-time record, according to Bloomberg. The extreme weather has also caused power outages, with about 17,000 customers losing service in the New York City area. Washington, D.C., broke a heat record amid the ongoing crisis.
Facing the strain, federal officials have directed data centers to switch to backup generators to preserve power for residential and critical infrastructure. PJM's emergency actions include voltage reductions and appeals for conservation to balance supply and demand.
The heat wave threatens not only grid stability but also July 4 travel plans, as CNBC reported. If conditions worsen, PJM may need to implement rotating outages to prevent a broader collapse, though officials stress that controlled measures are currently sufficient.
Critics argue that grid operators have been too slow to invest in capacity and renewable integration, leaving the system vulnerable to extreme weather. They contend that emergency fixes mask a lack of long-term planning for climate resilience.