New York State is facing its lowest energy reserves in five years, increasing the risk of brownouts or blackouts during extreme summer heat. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) warns that prolonged periods of temperatures between 95 and 98 degrees could strain the grid and require costly emergency measures. Officials attribute the shortage to a combination of aging power plants and the state's aggressive transition toward carbon-free energy. While some lawmakers argue that climate laws are compromising reliability, environmental advocates suggest the issue stems from a long term failure to modernize the electricity grid.
