Dear Editor,

When temperatures rise, so does electricity demand. The same is true when temperatures fall. In both cases, demand for electricity goes up, wholesale electricity prices can hit untenable levels, and our power system can face immense strains, potentially leading to blackouts.

Recent extreme temperatures highlight the growing challenge of maintaining a reliable power system. For example, during a heatwave this summer, New Yorkers were encouraged to reduce electricity use to help the grid meet surging demand. This issue isn’t limited to summer – winter cold snaps also tax the system. These strains are a flashing red warning sign that policymakers should not ignore, because as electrification policies expand, reliability challenges could intensify.

The New York Independ

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