Key facts
- The risk of power outages is expected to escalate across a broad swath of the United States on Wednesday due to intense heat.
- The U.S. Department of Energy warned of potential for heightened blackout risks in the PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. electric grid.
- DOE Secretary Chris Wright authorized PJM to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort.
- The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) predicted peak demand on Wednesday would approach record territory.
- MISO warned of tight conditions and increased its normal reserve requirement.
The risk of power outages is expected to increase across a significant portion of the United States on Wednesday as extreme heat tests the capacity of electricity grids serving millions. The U.S. Department of Energy issued a warning regarding heightened blackout risks for the PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest electric grid, which serves 67 million people from Washington D.C. to Chicago.
Late Tuesday, DOE Secretary Chris Wright authorized PJM to deploy backup generation resources as a final measure before declaring a level 3 energy emergency alert, a step preceding potential rotating blackouts. The DOE stated this action aims to stabilize the grid and mitigate blackout risks, emphasizing the importance of reliable power for American families and businesses.
Temperatures in major cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. were forecast to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during peak demand hours. PJM's "maximum generation emergency" alert directed generators on planned outages to assess their readiness to return to service quickly.
Meanwhile, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), responsible for 15 states in the Midwest and South, predicted Wednesday's peak demand would approach its all-time record, reaching approximately 121 gigawatts. MISO cautioned about tight supply conditions and increased its reserve requirements to buffer against unexpected outages and transmission congestion.
In rural Missouri, the Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative urged customers to conserve energy by unplugging unused devices and considering higher thermostat settings to reduce air conditioning load.