Texas feels first heat wave as power demand surges

Posted: Updated:

By SARAH KUTA
Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) - Texas officials say the heat is on for 2012.

A spokeswoman for the electric distribution grid for most of Texas says power usage on Tuesday set a record for June and July.

Robbie Searcy with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas says "summer is here in full swing" after Tuesday's peak statewide usage surpassed 66,500 megawatts for the first time this year.

The number eclipsed a June record set Monday of 65,000 megawatts.

A spokesman for the National Weather Service says temperatures climbed above 100 across most of the state. Heat advisories were issued for large pockets across Texas. Victor Murphy says the state should expect hotter-than-normal temperatures this summer, but not nearly as warm as record-setting 2011.

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Texas feels first heat wave as power demand surges - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports

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