US Declares Power Emergency in Southeast on Heat Wave

The Trump administration has declared a power emergency in the US Southeast as a blistering heat wave strains grids across the country.

The emergency order by the Energy Department allows Duke Energy Corp. to exceed certain air pollution limits and take other steps to boost power generation amid soaring demand in North and South Carolina. With temperatures expected to top 100F (38C) in parts of the Carolinas, people are running air conditioners on high and using more electricity.