Midwest power demand seen breaking record

Scott DiSavino Reuters 2:47 p.m. CDT, July 17, 2012

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Demand for electricity in the Midwest power grid is expected to break the region’s record later on Tuesday, as homes and businesses crank up air conditioners to escape a brutal heat wave, a spokeswoman for the network operator said.

The hot weather and high demand for electricity to run coolers extends from the Great Plains to the East Coast.

Despite the high demand, all power grids in the Midwest and Northeast said they had enough resources to keep the lights on and the air conditioners humming this week.