A request by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani asking residents to set their air conditioners to 78°F (25.6°C) during a dangerous heatwave has sparked a political row, with Republicans accusing him of promoting "socialism."
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As NY faced extreme temperatures with the heat index expected to reach 110°F (43.3°C), Mamdani urged residents to help reduce pressure on the city's electricity grid.
He wrote: "New York: it's hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can. Our City is doing its part too: maintaining the 78 degrees rule in our buildings, dimming/turning off our lights during peak electricity demand, asking private partners to do the same, and powering down non-essential equipment. A stable grid means the AC stays on, and lives are saved. Let's ease demand and get through the heat together."
