Con Edison Restores 16,000 Customers, Cuts Voltage 8% as Heat Strains NYC Grid
Updated
Updated · WABC-TV · Jul 2
Con Edison Restores 16,000 Customers, Cuts Voltage 8% as Heat Strains NYC Grid
2 articles · Updated · WABC-TV · Jul 2
Summary
Con Edison said crews had restored power to about 16,000 customers by 7 p.m., while another 16,000 remained without service across Staten Island, the Bronx and Queens.
An 8% voltage reduction and conservation requests were expanded across parts of Westchester, the Northeast Bronx and City Island as extreme heat, heavy demand and equipment repairs strained the grid.
Customers were urged to avoid washers, dryers, microwaves and most EV charging, and to limit air conditioning use; Hochul said large users able to switch fuels had been told to cut electricity demand.
Nearly 31,000 customers have already had service restored since the heat emergency began, after triple-digit temperatures earlier in the day triggered scattered outages and earlier conservation alerts in the Bronx and northern Manhattan.
Is the power grid failing due to record heat, or is record heat simply exposing a long-failing grid?
Are cooling centers a real solution or a temporary fix for cities unprepared for climate change?
Daytime heat is dangerous, but why might warming nights be the even greater, overlooked threat to our health?
New York City Faces Unprecedented July 2026 Heatwave: Grid Strain, Outages, and Urgent Calls for Resilience
Overview
New York City is facing a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures soaring toward 100°F and pushing the city’s power grid to its limits. As residents flock to places like Coney Island to escape the oppressive heat, the prolonged high temperatures are causing a surge in electricity demand, especially for air conditioning, which is vital for public health and safety. Officials are urging everyone to reduce electricity use to help keep the grid stable and prevent outages. This collective effort is crucial as the city works to protect its residents and maintain essential services during this extreme weather event.