Dark smoke rose above a Virginia data center as a heat wave pushed the power grid close to its limits

Smoke rises from a Digital Realty data center in Northern Virginia on July 3, 2026. Bobby Chahal Energy regulators warned data centers could be cut off as a heat wave swept the mid-Atlantic states. PJM, which runs the regional grid, said "demand response" kept power consumption manageable. Dark smoke was seen rising from a Virginia data center. Other big loads also ran diesel generators. Ashburn, Virginia, is in the heart of America's "data center alley." Over the July 4 weekend, diesel gen...