Heat Wave Puts Power Grids, People to Test
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NEW YORK — A wilting heat wave tested the endurance of people and power systems across much of the country Wednesday as temperatures climbed through the 90s and high humidity made it feel worse.
Temperatures and humidity combined to push heat indexes to 100 degrees or above by early afternoon along the East Coast, including 116 before noon at Wrightstown, N.J.
Electricity demand soared as air conditioners were cranked to the max. In steamy Washington, officials activated the city’s heat plan, which included donating fans and air conditioners to the elderly.
The overseer of New York state’s electrical grid, the Independent System Operator, said that while there should be enough power to meet demand, larger commercial users had been asked to cut their afternoon consumption.
The heat has been mired over parts of the Midwest and Plains since at least last week.
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