We got an early surprise this year with a spike before the Memorial Day holiday sending temperatures up into the high 90’s for multiple days. Immediately we saw a maximum generation alert and load management alert issued for the PJM footprint.
The early heat this year once again highlights the challenges we are facing in terms of generating enough energy to meet the growing demand in an affordable way. Other states aren’t waiting around and taking action:
So as some policymakers continue chasing headlines over hard realities, the grid keeps sending the same warning signals louder each year. Reliable, affordable power doesn’t magically appear because someone issued a press release about “transitioning” the energy economy.
When the first real heat wave of the season hits and emergency alerts start flying before summer even officially begins, it’s a reminder that physics still matters — no matter how fashionable the policy talking points may be.
The question is no longer whether demand is growing. It is whether we are serious about building and maintaining the generation needed to support it. Other states seem to understand that reliability isn’t optional. Meanwhile, NJ consumers are left hoping the lights stay on while politicians and regulators continue treating dependable baseload power like yesterday’s problem instead of tomorrow’s necessity.
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