According to the Wall Street Journal (May 8, 2022), many states are facing the possibility of “rolling blackouts during heat waves,” “emergency measures,” and “electricity outages.”
What you need to know
01
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
According to MISO, 11 midwestern states face the possibility of temporary blackouts this summer when electricity demand peaks. California and Texas are also sounding the alarm
02
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
Part of the reason for this problem is that coal plants are being shut down and replaced with sources of electricity that are less dependable than coal when electricity demand peaks, for example, during extremely hot weather. When electricity demand peaks, a coal-fired power plant is almost six times more dependable than a wind farm.
03
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
The possibility of blackouts will get worse unless steps are taken to keep coal plants from retiring. Changes to market rules are needed to keep coal-fired plants from retiring.
