Latest heat wave raised CT air pollution

High electricity demand during last week's stifling heat wave led to the most polluted air of the summer in Connecticut and the worst in more than two years for the majority of the state's towns, according to the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality.

When above-90-degree temperatures hit last week, more households and businesses ran their air conditioners at higher volumes, causing a spike in electricity demand, the council said.

To meet demand, ISO New England called on rarely used peaking power plants to increase supply. Since these peaking plants are rarely used and rely on aging generators, they emit more particulate matter than normal power plants.

The Council on Environmental Quality encourages people to buy Energy Star appliances that perform in a more energy efficient way.

"Our choice is not between keeping cool and sweltering," CEQ Chairwoman Barbara Wagner said in a statement. "Our choice is between cooling our homes in an efficient way or in an inefficient way."