Heat waves likely to bring more rolling blackouts

July 1, 2000
Web posted at: 10:04 p.m. EDT (0204 GMT)

From Greg LaMotte CNN Correspondent

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- This summer's high temperatures have forced some power companies in the western United States to resort to "rolling blackouts" to conserve electricity.

Utility and federal officials warn that electricity production has not been able to match increasing levels of power usage, making the prospect of more rolling blackouts likely.

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In a rolling blackout, electricity shutdowns are rotated among sectors of a region for short periods.

U.S. consumption of electricity has risen 35 percent during the past 10 years, while newly generated electric power has risen by just 18 percent.

"During the last several summers utilities in some parts of the country have been stretched to the limit," said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. "Spot prices for electricity rose dramatically. Factories were forced to shut down their operations, send workers home."

If the trend continues, such a scenario could cost the nation millions in lost wages and production.

Industry workers say economics is a major reason new power generation has not kept pace with demand.

"...there's not much incentive for the utilities to build new electricity generation," said civil engineer Najm Meshkati.

Since getting government approval to build new transmission lines and power generators is immensely expensive, it's often cheaper for utilities to buy electricity from other power plants where the demand is not as great.

As a possible solution, President Clinton has called for legislation designed to ease the process of building new power plants.

In the meantime, industry experts say some new sources of electric power should be on line during the next two years.

Future energy shortages predicted
July 28, 1999
Heat wave eases; New York, other cities plagued by blackouts
July 7, 1999
Heatwave causes power shortages 6/26/98
June 1998

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