Record Demand for Electricity Across the Country

Utility companies from California to New York are gearing up for the heat wave currently effecting most of the United States. Electricity demands have been pushed to record levels in Texas, California, Arizona and the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.

"We are prepared for hot temperatures and high demand in the summer," said Dottie Roark, spokeswoman for Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the power grid for most of Texas. "We don't expect any problems." Commonwealth Edison Co., serving about 3.7 million customers in Chicago and northern Illinois, scheduled extra work crews that can respond quickly if problems arise. Like other utilities, Commonwealth is prepared to postpone scheduled maintenance if necessary.

Check out the Natural Gas and Electricity News section of the Home Services Guide for tips on how to conserve energy this summer to save money and lower the demand for electricity.