Operator warns of record power demand as heat continues
PJM, an electric power grid operator serving 13 states including Ohio, warned that electricity demand would reach near-record levels due to a heatwave. PJM requested and received assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy to allow local utilities to direct data centers and other large customers to use backup generation to prevent outages. The Ohio Public Utilities Commission noted data centers' increasing electricity use but also cited a report stating they account for a small percentage of overall U.S. consumption.

