Daily Mail News – Science & Tech
By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
Published: 13:12 EDT, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 20:06 EDT, 27 July 2026
Blackout fears are growing for 20 million Americans as extreme heat pushes the power grid toward its limits.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) on Sunday authorized the operator serving parts of 17 states to activate idle power sources in an effort to keep the lights on.
The move allows backup plants that are normally switched off to generate extra electricity if surging demand threatens to overwhelm the grid.
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