Excessive Heat Blankets Philadelphia, Strains Power Grids
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On a sizzling summer evening keeping the kids cool in this intense heat isn't easy for those without central air-conditioning.
This oppressive heat has spread across a good portion of the country and that is a bit of a concern for the people at PJM in Trooper Montgomery County.
PJM manages the high voltage lines that stretch across 13 states which feed power to electric companies like PECO.
"It's all across here as far as where this heat wave is hitting," Terry Williams of PJM said.
It was a massive blackout in the summer 2003 that left much of New York City and other parts of that region in the dark.
Then, cascading power outages impacted an estimated 50 million people.
There are no such problems today, but Terry Williams of PJM contends this heat brings a whole lot of stress to the overall electrical grid because of the high demand that stretches across the Mid-Atlantic region.
For example, if a power problem pops up in say Ohio, PJM would have to adjust.
"We would route power around where that issue surfaced so that we will keep the load in balance," Williams said.
Power problems plagued an adult daycare facility in West Philadelphia on Wednesday. With no air conditioning, many senior citizens, some in their 90's had to be moved out of the living independent for elders building at 45 and Chestnut Streets.
"With this heat have to make sure they are hydrated and we get them to an air conditioned area," CEO Don Drake said.
PECO's problems have not been blamed on the heat.
Reported by Todd Quinones, CBS 3
