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Heat wave

A Warmer World

Some electric grids may feel the heat this summer

by Elizabeth Trovall
Jun 10, 2024
As ACs across the country kick on during heat waves, electricity demand will spike and some energy grids may fall short of supply.
High voltage power lines run along an electrical power grid in southern Florida. If temperatures peak above normal this summer, some regions of the U.S. may suffer electric shortfalls.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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A Warmer World

The extreme heat takes a physical toll — and an economic one

by Elizabeth Trovall
Aug 18, 2023
Low-income workers who aren't able to choose their work schedules are especially hard hit. And that has a cost of its own.
Construction workers rebuild an interstate highway during a heat wave in Houston on July 14.
Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images
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A Warmer World

Biden administration launches Heat.gov as extreme heat becomes more common

by Samantha Fields
Aug 1, 2022
The government also boosts funding for a FEMA program to help communities prepare for extreme heat and other climate-related disasters.
While the government is taking steps to address the impacts of extreme heat, climate experts worry that the problem could worsen.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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U.S. electrical grids are not prepared for climate change

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Jul 1, 2021
Experts say utilities have been forced to play catch-up when extreme weather hits.
The sun sets behind power lines in Los Angeles.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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Extreme heat, urgent need for AC challenges infrastructure

by Meghan McCarty Carino
Jun 28, 2021
Nonprofit Climate Central estimates that home air conditioning use will increase almost 60% over the next 30 years.
A heat wave is scorching the Pacific Northwest. In Seattle, only about 44% of homes have air conditioning.
Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
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COVID-19

Remote workers pay cooling bills or sweat out summer heat at home

by Meghan McCarty Carino
Sep 7, 2020
Are employers obligated to chip in for home AC use during the pandemic?
The sun sets behind power lines in Los Angeles.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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California blackouts reflect a complicated supply-and-demand problem

by Andy Uhler
Aug 17, 2020
The load can overwhelm the electric grid during heat waves, but this summer's outages have raised new questions.
A sign in Calistoga, California, calls on PG&E to turn the electricity back on during a statewide blackout in October 2019.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
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Climate change means planning for further suffocating heat waves

by Ben Bradford
Jul 18, 2019
In Washington, D.C. "high heat days" are expected to more than double in the next 50 years.
A woman cools off in the fountain at Washington Square Park during the heat wave on July 17, 2019 in New York City.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
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Europe’s economy wilts in one of the Continent’s hottest heat waves

by Stephen Beard
Jul 11, 2019
Roads, railway tracks and other parts of Europe’s economic backbone buckle and crack under record temperatures.
A Berlin restaurant closed on June 30 due to the heat wave.
Adam Berry/Getty Images
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It could hit 120 degrees in Phoenix during the Southwest’s heatwave. Can the power grid keep up?

by Aaron Schrank
Jun 19, 2017
It’s likely that the heat wave California, Arizona and Nevada has been experiencing is going to hit its peak this week. Temperatures could reach as high as 120 degrees in Phoenix. Across the region, the air conditioning will be roaring. But will the power grid be able to keep up?  Click the audio player above […]
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