California calls grid emergency with power use at 5-yr high amid heat wave

California declared a power grid emergency as a blistering and sustained heat wave threatens to push the state's electricity system to its limit

California declared a power grid emergency Monday as a blistering and sustained heat wave threatens to push the state’s electricity system to its limit. 
 

With millions of homes and businesses cranking air conditioners to cope with temperatures above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius), electricity use in the largest US state is forecast to hit 48.9 gigawatts Monday, the most since 2017. The state’s grid operator is forecasting an energy deficiency between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time. 

“California has been ridiculously hot and will be hot for a good part of the week,” Bob Oravec, a senior branch forecaster with