A Heatwave Reality: AC as a Lifeline, Not a Luxury
When temperatures soar across the South and West, air conditioning isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety. But as millions of households and small businesses turn on the AC to beat the heat, our electric grid faces a critical test. Behind every cool room and humming fan is a system under serious strain.
Summer Demand Peaks: Grid Under Pressure
Air conditioners often run nonstop during heat waves, causing a sharp and sustained spike in electricity use that pushes the grid to its limits.
During a heat wave, air conditioning alone can account for as much as 70% of peak electricity demand in some regions — a worst-case scenario that highlights the significant strain cooling puts on the summer grid. That’s a staggering load — one that forces grid operators to activate older, less efficient backup generation systems to keep up. These plants are costly to operate and not designed for constant use. If the demand surpasses the supply, the result can be rolling blackouts or brownouts.
This strain has already shown up in states like Texas, Arizona, and California. On the hottest days, overloaded power lines, maxed-out substations, and aging infrastructure all work against a system trying to deliver power reliably. It’s a growing challenge, and the weather does not just drive it.
A Warning Sign from New York
In June, New York experienced widespread power outages during a dangerous heat wave. The blackout wasn’t just inconvenient — it was a warning. New York, which is actively working to eliminate natural gas and push for widespread electrification, is finding that reducing access to always-available energy leaves the grid vulnerable when demand spikes. When heat waves strike and intermittent energy sources like wind and solar can’t carry the load, there must be a stable backup. Without it, families pay the price.
More Pressure, More Problems: Data Centers and EVs
At the same time, our electricity demand continues to climb. Artificial intelligence systems, data centers, electric vehicles, and fully electrified homes are all drawing more power from the grid year-round. These demands don’t go away when it gets hot — they pile on, making it harder to balance supply and demand in real time.
Why Should Consumers Care?
Because energy decisions made today impact your bills and your safety tomorrow:
- Higher energy costs when expensive backup power is needed to meet demand.
- Blackouts or brownouts during extreme weather events.
- Business disruptions for local shops, restaurants, and service providers.
- Increased risk for seniors, children, and medically vulnerable individuals.
When the grid is overworked, it’s not policymakers or planners who suffer—it’s you.
When Renewables Aren’t Enough
Efforts to remove natural gas from homes and businesses too quickly can add even more pressure to an already strained system. A CEA analysis found that natural gas bans could cost households thousands over time, while also eliminating a key source of backup energy during emergencies.
Solar and wind play a critical role in reducing emissions, but they aren’t always available when demand peaks. Solar energy drops off in the evening, right when families return home, cook dinner, and turn on appliances. Wind can be unpredictable. Without dependable backup like natural gas and nuclear, energy shortages become more likely, not less. This is why having a mix of energy sources — some that generate power continuously and others that support emissions reduction — is crucial for a reliable grid.
A Practical Path Forward
Keeping the lights on means balancing innovation with reliability:
- Invest in grid upgrades and transmission systems.
- Maintain a diverse energy mix, including natural gas and nuclear.
- Craft consumer-focused policies that consider cost and reliability.
- Support technologies that work, not just those that sound good in theory.
We don’t have to choose between cleaner energy and stable energy — we need both. That means making smart, realistic choices that ensure families and businesses don’t face avoidable energy emergencies.
Putting Consumers First
At the end of the day, this isn’t about politics — it’s about people. Every American deserves access to affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy. That includes:
- Knowing your AC will work when it’s 100 degrees outside.
- Trusting that your business can stay open through the summer.
- Ensuring that electrification policies don’t outpace the grid’s ability to keep up.
As this summer heats up, let’s remember what’s really at stake. Our energy choices must protect the people who rely on them every day.
Let’s keep the lights and the AC on for everyone.