Energy Secretary Bill Richardson targets issuance of a new standard requiring central air conditioners to be up to 20% more efficient for November 2000.
In many areas of the country, the temperature soared to record highs which, combined with humidity, had air-conditioning units moving out of warehouses at a pretty good clip. As usually happens at such times, there were numerous instances of power outages as transmission capabilities were pushed to the limit. Particularly along the East Coast, there were widespread and sometimes lengthy outages. There was little question as to the culprit.