United StatesA multistate blackout threat due to extreme heat has prompted emergency measures by the U.S. Department of Energy, affecting 17 states and 20 million people. The Southwest Power Pool issued an advisory warning of possible rolling blackouts as high temperatures strain the grid. The Department of Energy activated an emergency order to utilize backup generation capacity, estimating over 35 gigawatts of unused power is available. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory estimate annual costs of power outages at $67 billion, with some reports suggesting up to $121 billion in damages in 2024. Specific incidents, such as the 2021 Texas blackouts, caused economic losses between $80 billion and $130 billion. The article highlights sectors like data centers and AI infrastructure as particularly vulnerable to prolonged power interruptions.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information about the technical and economic impacts of potential blackouts without overtly endorsing any political ideology. It cites both governmental actions and independent research findings, maintaining a balanced approach to the issue. While the topic involves government-m
