The Department of Energy issued an emergency order yesterday lasting through the end of the week authorizing large load customers (read: Data Centers) in the mid-atlantic/midwest to switch to backup generators. The warm weather this week coincided with a number of maintenance projects across the grid which resulted in “maximum load” conditions. If that sounds bad, trust your instincts. We’re like a hairdryer and a microwave popcorn away from a brownout. The moral of the story is when citizens are oblivious to local politics, muppets wind up getting elected to the county board – the people who issue permits. Muppets can’t do basic arithmetic unless it’s on a check for a campaign contribution.

We have X amount of generation capacity. Demand for electricity generation is growing at a rate of X * Y which is greater than amount of new capacity that can come online over the same time period. PLUS, warmer weather combined with more data centers is providing fewer days to perform important maintenance and construction, thus delaying said new generation from coming online. And as older generation facilities are being retired, the total amount of generation capacity might actually be shrinking while demand keeps growing. Rinse, lather, repeat. Btw, I’m not anti-datacenter, I’m anti-stupidity and I want to be able to watch F1 racing on Sundays. Then again, maybe a blackout wouldn’t be so bad. We all could use a little less screentime.

🎶 Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best
Aaaaand Always look on the bright side of life… 🎶