Resident on power grid: 'I think that's a huge problem, and I'm concerned'

With scorching temperatures poised to return for the summer, many Houstonians wonder whether Texas’ energy grid could handle the probable increase in demand, per a report from Houston ABC affiliate KTRK.

The unpleasant memories of the grid's failure during last year's unprecedented winter storm is still fresh on the minds of the millions who endured it, including those in the Houston area.

The first two weeks of May saw the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which oversees the grid, issue advisories to Texans about the hot weather’s affect on the energy supply.

KTRK reported that before last weekend, ERCOT urged customers to set thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent a strain after six power generation facilities went offline.

"I think that's a huge problem, and I'm concerned," area resident Charles Sapp told the station.

Another resident shared Sapp's sentiments, according to KTRK.

"My biggest question would be why?" Tracy Mitchell said, the station reported.

ERCOT predicts record power usage throughout the state, with warnings and advisories likely to be a part of this summer, per KTRK.

Energy Ogre CEO Jesson Bradshaw told the station that Houston has been subjected to conservation requests in the past, advising the public to unplug appliances they're not using aside from raising the thermostat.

"It makes sense to go through from time to time and figure out what kinds of things we aren't using anymore," Bradshaw said, KTRK reported.

Houston-based Consumer Energy Alliance Director Marc Brown told Houston FOX affiliate KRIV that it isn't just Texas that's worried about a summer of potential record increases in the mercury.

"North Dakota and Montana (are) issuing concerns about capacity shortfalls, so this isn’t anything unique to Texas," Brown explained to KRIV. "California has had issues, obviously. This is something going on across the country right now, and I think grid operators need to take a strong look at their resources and make sure they can meet demand."