Energy Dept orders backup power to avert Louisiana blackouts

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday authorized the Southwest Power Pool to activate emergency generation to avert grid-wide rolling blackouts across 14 states—including parts of North Louisiana—as severe heat drove historic demand for electricity.

The Southwest Power Pool faced an electricity shortfall as a heat wave stretching from North Dakota to the Gulf Coast drove record power demand. The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning for northwest Louisiana, where heat index values reached 110 to 115 degrees Tuesday.

While the highest risk of forced power outages was concentrated in Oklahoma, Kansas, and the Texas Panhandle, northwest Louisiana remained under a Resource Advisory.

“The Trump Administration is tapping into an abundant supply of unused backup generation to maintain affordable, reliable, and secure power for hardworking American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

The Energy Department u...