Report: Extreme heat will challenge power grid, rolling blackouts likely

OUR POWER GRID WILL BE WAY LESS RELIABLE THIS SUMMER.

SO IF YOU’RE IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY, GET READY FOR BLACKOUTS.

THAT’S A WARNING FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY CORPORATION, WHICH SAYS THE CAUSE OF THIS IMPENDING DARKNESS IS

HEAT.

IN A NEW REPORT, THEY EXPLAIN HOW:

TEMPS WILL BE “ABOVE-NORMAL” THIS SUMMER.

WHICH MEANS PEOPLE WILL BE CRANKING UP THEIR A/C—PUTTING HIGHER DEMAND ON SYSTEMS AND RISKING FORCED OUTAGES.

ALSO, WESTERN STATES HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM AN EXTENDED DROUGHT, WHICH AFFECTS HYDRO AND THERMAL GENERATOR OUTPUT.

THEN, THERE ARE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES. SOME REGIONS ARE SWITCHING OVER TO

NEW SOURCES OF POWER, AND THOSE PROJECTS REQUIRE EQUIPMENT THAT’S HELD UP RIGHT NOW.

AND COAL-FIRED GENERATORS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET FUEL.

OTHER RISKS INCLUDE: WILDFIRES, AND CYBERSECURITY THREATS FROM RUSSIA.

BLACKOUTS AREN’T JUST AN INCONVENIENCE BUT A MAJOR HEALTH RISK.

THERE’S AN INCREASED CHANCE OF HEAT STROKE, ACCESS TO FOOD AND WATER BECOME LIMITED, AND BUSINESSES SUFFER.