{
  "id": 4747338,
  "title": "Sacramento should save the program that is saving the grid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/sacramento-should-save-the-program-that-is-saving-the-grid",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T00:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20260901/sacramento-should-save-the-program-that-is-saving-the-grid"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "California has launched the Demand Side Grid Support program in 2022 to tackle rising electricity prices and the strain on the power grid caused by data centers and heat waves. The program has been highly successful and serves as a model for the rest of the United States. During a heat wave, millions of people turn on their air conditioning, leading to a surge in electricity demand. Certain power plants, known as \"peakers,\" are required to generate more electricity during peak demand, which is more costly compared to other power plants. These peaker plants are responsible for driving up electricity prices, which have risen by as much as 40% since 2020, far outpacing overall inflation. The Demand Side Grid Support program aims to mitigate this issue by encouraging consumers to reduce their electricity consumption during peak hours through various incentives and programs.",
  "summary": "Your power bill is too high. Electricity prices have risen by as much as 40% since 2020, far outpacing overall inflation. And after decades of nearly flat growth in energy consumption, data centers are driving up grid demand for the first time in roughly 35 years. Then heat waves, like the one currently cooking Southern California, push the whole system to the edge. That’s why In 2022, California…",
  "key_points": [
    "Demand Side Grid Support program launched in 2022",
    "Mitigates high electricity prices and grid strain",
    "Encourages reduced consumption during peak hours"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Saving the Demand Side Grid Support program would help California keep electricity prices in check and maintain grid stability by continuing to incentivize consumers to reduce peak-hour energy consumption.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Sacramento should save the program that is saving the grid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/sacramento-should-save-the-program-that-is-saving-the-grid-4753073",
        "published": "2026-09-01T01:02:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}