USA on Brink of Nationwide Electricity Crisis, Most of North America at Elevated or High Risk of Shortages

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The United States is on the brink of a nationwide electricity crisis, with most of North America at elevated or high risk of power shortages between 2024-2028.

This looming crisis is largely attributed to the advocacy of tech giants pushing for the rapid adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, while simultaneously campaigning for the shutdown of reliable fossil fuel power plants.

The map illustrates the severity of the situation, with large swaths of the country, particularly in the Midwest and Texas, at high risk of shortfalls even under normal peak conditions.

Other regions face elevated risks during extreme conditions.

This predicament stems from a combination of factors:

1. Premature closure of reliable power plants
2. Over-reliance on intermittent renewable energy sources
3. Rapidly increasing power demands, especially from AI and data centers

To address this crisis, both short-term and long-term solutions are necessary:

Short-term:

1. Postpone further shutdowns of existing reliable power plants
2. Implement more robust demand response programs
3. Accelerate the deployment of grid-scale energy storage

Long-term:

1. Adopt a balanced approach to energy policy, allowing all fuel types to compete
2. Invest in grid modernization and expansion
3. Develop advanced nuclear power and other reliable, low-emission technologies
4. Improve energy efficiency across all sectors

The path forward requires a realistic assessment of our energy needs and a pragmatic approach to meeting them.

This means reconsidering the hasty transition to renewables and ensuring a diverse, reliable energy mix that can support both current demands and future growth, particularly in power-hungry sectors like artificial intelligence.”

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