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   From: nowomr@protonmail.com   
      
   The US Energy Department has issued an emergency order aimed at keeping the   
   lights on in Texas as the state’s power grid grapples with surging demand   
   amid record-high temperatures.   
      
   The order, issued Thursday night, could allow Texas power plants to surpass   
   pollution limits through Friday night to meet “abnormally high” demand for   
   electricity.   
      
   Jennifer Granholm, US secretary of energy, determined in the order that “an   
   emergency exists in Texas due to a shortage of electric energy, a shortage of   
   facilities for the generation of electric energy and other causes.”   
      
   As the heat wave continues to shatter records across the country, including   
   in Texas, energy demand for things like air conditioning have frequently   
   taxed the state’s delicate power grid with wind and solar energy helping to   
   prop it up.   
      
   Dallas hit 107 degrees on Thursday, breaking the prior record of 104 set in   
   2012. That marked the fifth consecutive day of triple-digit temperatures.   
      
   San Antonio has hit or exceeded 100 degrees every day so far this month. The   
   city has experienced 17 days above 105 degrees this year, blowing past the   
   prior record of three set in 2011.   
      
   The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the electric grid   
   serving 90% of the state’s customers, filed a request for the emergency order   
   Wednesday.   
      
   ERCOT warned that power outages could become necessary if demand isn’t   
   lowered or additional supply can’t be added.   
      
   Although rolling blackouts have been avoided so far, ERCOT asked Texans to   
   conserve electricity on Thursday due to “tight grid conditions.”   
      
   As of Friday morning, ERCOT’s website indicated there is “enough power for   
   current demand,” but supply and demand is expected to get tight again later   
   in the day.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)