JACKSON, Wyo. — Wyoming is one of many states that risks a higher possibility of power blackouts this summer during periods of extreme heat, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s 2023 Summer Reliability Assessment (SRA).
The SRA aims to assess and report on areas of concern related to the reliability of the North American bulk power system from June through September.
According to the report, western states including Wyoming will experience “elevated potential for insufficient operating reserves in above-normal conditions.” The elevated risk during extreme heat is due to an unreliability of renewable energy performance, which Wyoming has been shifting towards, continued drought and wildfire events that can limit electricity transfers and result in localized needs exceeding the available supply.
The U.S. Department of Energy explains that continued drought can reduce the generation capacity of coal, natural gas or nuclear power plants that require water for cooling.
The Wyoming Wildfire Risk Assessment shows most of the area in and around Jackson Hole is projected to experience medium to normal wildfire risk, with some pockets of high risk in the Teton National Forest and up near Yellowstone National Park. Drought is still persistent in Teton County despite a winter of heavy precipitation.
The National Weather Service anticipates that in June, July and August the area of Jackson Hole in western Wyoming will lean towards above normal temperatures.
In recent years Wyoming and Teton County have been experiencing record-breaking heat waves, according to Rocky Mountain Power and Buckrail Meteorologist Alan Smith.
