Oh, are we going to pay ...

I do NOT want to see my next bill from BGE. Here are some factoids from the PJM Interconnection - the power grid than manages electrical distribution for the middle Atlantic states and Washington, D.C. Our thirst for power - electrical power - just keeps increasing.

Based on National Weather Service data, the amount of air conditioning demanded by consumers in the region has been 77 percent higher this summer than last summer, and 44 percent higher than the average. (Last summer was unusually mild.)

The highest demand for electricity so far this summer was 136,684 megawatts. That's nearly 10,000 megawatts more than the peak demand last year - 126,805 megawatts.

Every day last week, the demand for power across the PJM region exceeded last year's July peak of 116,599 megawatts. So far this month (through the 24th) our electrical consumption has topped last year's peak on 16 different days.

Last weekend, consumers in the PJM region set a new all-time peak demand record for a Saturday. The peak was 128,452 megawatts, breaking the old record by more than 8,000 megawatts. PJM says that bump is enough juice to run a major city. The previous record was 120,324 megawatts, set Aug. 13, 2005.

(SUN PHOTO: Doug Kapustin, 2005)

Oh, are we going to pay ...

Don't miss our 4th of July sale!
Save big on local news.

SALE ENDS SOON

$1 FOR 12 WEEKS

Don't miss our 4th of July sale!Save big on local news.

SALE ENDS SOON

$1 FOR 12 WEEKS

Don't miss our 4th of July sale!
Save big on local news.