Southwest Drought Could Trigger a Summer Energy Shock
- Timothy Beggans
- 21 hours ago
- 1 min read
The U.S. Southwest is heading into summer under intensifying drought conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of the region faces severe to exceptional drought, threatening water supplies and energy infrastructure.
The latest AccuWeather summer forecast calls for extreme heat across the region, pushing up electricity demand for cooling. But that demand is colliding with falling hydropower generation, as lower reservoir levels at sites like Lake Mead and Lake Powell reduce output.
This gap in hydropower is expected to be filled by natural gas, which brings added market volatility and the likelihood of higher energy bills for millions of Americans. A recent press release warns of significant strain on utilities and customers alike this summer.
With the Southwest already one of the fastest-warming regions in the U.S., the long-term trend is clear. Climate-related pressures on energy systems aren’t coming—they’re here.
For energy providers, regulators, and policymakers, the message is urgent: Adaptation isn't optional. Diversifying generation sources, improving grid resilience, and accelerating energy efficiency must be top priorities.
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