As an intense heat wave blankets the country, nearly 1 million people are without power, prompting emergency measures from the largest U.S. power grid operator, PJM. With electricity demand reaching record levels, especially for air conditioning and data centers, PJM has ordered emergency curbs to prevent widespread blackouts. The Energy Department has directed data centers to utilize backup generators to alleviate the strain on the grid, while power prices have surged dramatically. Storms have further complicated the situation, leading to outages across the Midwest, Northeast, and Ontario. Federal emergency orders have been issued in anticipation of ongoing high demand as the heat wave persists, raising concerns about the reliability of the electrical infrastructure during this critical period.