Texas Heatwave Pushes Power Demand Near Record Levels
Eastern Texas is experiencing an intense heatwave that is putting significant strain on the state's power grid. According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot), power demand on Monday afternoon approached the record of 85.508 gigawatts set in August 2023, though it did not surpass it. The grid operator reported that over 114 gigawatts of power were available to meet the demand. Millions of Texans are under heat advisories as temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C) in cities like Dallas and Houston. The National Weather Service warns that rising humidity from Tropical Storm Bertha could push the heat index to 112°F in some areas. This heatwave is part of a broader pattern of repeated heat events across the U.S., which have strained power grids and triggered emergency alerts throughout the summer. 
