A severe heat wave across the United States has led to soaring power prices and unprecedented stress on the nation's electrical grids. The extreme temperatures, exceeding 38 degrees Celsius in some regions, have driven up electricity demand significantly, particularly for cooling. In the Eastern U.S., electricity demand surged to multiyear highs, with the PJM Interconnection reporting a peak load of 160,560 megawatts on June 23, where natural gas accounted for 44% of power generation. This heightened demand has caused wholesale electricity prices to spike and futures for natural gas to rise by 2.2%, with traders anticipating continued high demand and potential winter prices reaching $5 per unit. Authorities remain on high alert as the heat wave tests grid stability, with some areas experiencing record midday electricity consumption in 2025. Additionally, the growth of data centers nationwide is placing unprecedented strain on the electrical infrastructure, contributing further to the challenges faced by power providers. The situation has prompted discussions about the highest level of heat alerts, known as vigilance rouge, which is activated under conditions of extreme, prolonged heat with broad geographic impact and significant health and societal consequences.