A heat wave in the Northwest United States in late June led to more regional demand for electricity. During periods of high temperatures, electricity demand increases as people turn up their air conditioners, dehumidifiers, fans, and other cooling equipment. Very high temperature events, like the one in June in the Northwest, tend to push electricity demand to very high levels. In the early summer, temperatures in the Northwest often peak around 5:00 p.m. Even though the sun is directly overhead at noon, temperatures typically don’t reach their highest point until later in the day. Electricity demand in the early ... (full story)