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Power grid ready for heat wave, officials say

An electric meter
Kat Kollins
New Yorkers urged to limit appliance use during peak hours.

You should be able to stay cool with your air conditioner or fan without worrying about a power outage. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which manages the state’s electric grid in real time, says it has planned for the expected surge in demand during this stretch of hot weather.

Officials say available electricity should be at least 15% higher than the record demand seen during a previous heat wave.

Still, residents and businesses are encouraged to avoid using large appliances (like washers, dryers, dishwashers, and electric ovens) during the hottest parts of the day when air conditioning use is at its peak.

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.