US power grid faces possible shortages this summer due to green energy push, watchdog says

The top U.S. grid watchdog warns that much of America's power grid is facing an elevated risk of shortages as summer approaches while the push to eliminate fossil fuels continues.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation stated Wednesday that a majority of the U.S. grid is at risk of having insufficient reserves during high demand periods. 

"The electric industry continues to face many of the challenges of the rapidly-changing resource mix," John Moura, NERC's director of reliability assessment and performance analysis, told reporters on a media call, according to Fox News. 

"The elevated risk profiles that we're seeing are driven by a combination of conventional generation retirements seen over the last couple of years, a substantial increase in forecasted peak demand and new loads coming — we are electrifying more than we ever had in the past," he added. 

According to the report, nine power grids were identified, including New England and every state west of Ohio, that are at risk of power outages in the coming summer months. 

The report also said that Texas may be at risk of not having enough "dispatchable generation" such as natural gas- or coal-fired plants to compensate for the possible low wind conditions.  

"We are expecting to have to rely more on renewables during peak conditions than we ever have before," Pablo Vegas, the current president and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said, according to Fox News. "As a result of this dynamic, this summer could have tighter hours than last summer with a higher risk of emergency operations."