As Democrats continue pushing unreliable wind and solar power while shuttering traditional power plants, millions across the central U.S. face dangerous power shortfalls this summer.
The elderly and children will suffer most severely as federal assistance programs face devastating cuts.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued an alarming warning that approximately 89 million Americans from the upper Midwest to the Gulf Coast are at elevated risk of power shortfalls this summer.
The crisis stems from the premature closure of reliable coal and nuclear plants, insufficient replacement capacity, and the growing strain on aging electric grids across the country.
NERC’s annual assessment identified three major power grids covering central US regions as high-risk, affecting one in three Americans nationwide.
This predictable energy crisis comes after years of Democrat policies prioritizing unreliable “green” energy sources while forcing the shutdown of dependable power generation that previously kept American homes safe and cool during summer months.
The situation is especially dire for vulnerable populations. Nearly half of Americans live in states without protections against power disconnections during heat waves.
Only 19 states and Washington D.C. have mandated summer shut-off protections, leaving a staggering 203 million people in 31 states vulnerable to losing power during the year’s hottest months.
Making matters worse, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been cut by $2 billion, affecting approximately one million fewer households this year compared to previous years.
The energy crisis is also hitting American families hard in their wallets. Energy bills are projected to increase by almost 9% from June to September, with average costs reaching $719 during peak summer months.
This financial burden falls hardest on the 45 million Americans with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Texas has attempted to address the crisis by adding 7.5 gigawatts of battery power to help stabilize its grid, but transmission bottlenecks remain a serious concern.
Meanwhile, the 13-state eastern US grid and New York system have warned of possible reserve shortfalls during extreme summer heat conditions.
The current crisis represents yet another consequence of the left’s radical agenda to transform America’s energy sector before reliable alternatives are in place.
Despite thousands of deaths annually from heat-related causes, liberal politicians continue dismantling the dependable power infrastructure that has protected American families for generations.
America’s once-reliable electric grid is now increasingly vulnerable due to the forced retirement of traditional power plants, growing demands from data centers, and excessive reliance on intermittent wind and solar power that cannot deliver when needed most.
Ultimately, the U.S. needs a robust, reliable power grid that prioritizes safety and sound energy management over ideological mandates.
