Trump Energy Department issues emergency order to prevent blackouts across 13 states amid unusual October heat

Emergency Power Order Issued as October Heat Spikes Threaten Grid Reliability Across 13 States

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to avert potential blackouts, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced Monday that it has granted the regional grid operator PJM Interconnection the authority to deploy additional power‑generation resources. The move, authorized under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, is aimed at keeping the electric system stable as unseasonably warm temperatures drive up demand in October.

The order takes effect tomorrow and will remain in force until Friday, Oct. 16. It permits certain power plants to operate beyond their usual restrictions if needed to maintain supply, a step the DOE says is necessary because maintenance at plants and transmission lines coincides with a spike in electricity usage.

A Broad Geographic Reach

PJM Interconnection serves or partially serves 13 jurisdictions: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The agency warned that the emergency conditions could present new challenges for grid reliability, although it does not expect ordinary customers to be impacted.

“We don’t anticipate the emergency to affect everyday customers, but the combination of rising demand and unpredictable weather patterns is creating a new set of reliability risks,” said Jeff Shields, a spokesperson for PJM. “Electricity demand is growing faster than new generating capacity can come online, and the unpredictable weather is leaving fewer opportunities for critical maintenance and construction.”

Shields noted that planned maintenance periods now pose reliability risks that grid operators previously faced mainly during the hot summer and the cold winter months.

DOE’s Rationale

The DOE cited “unseasonably warm October temperatures” in the Ohio Valley and Mid‑Atlantic that are expected to climb into the 70s and 80s as a reason the emergency order was needed. As demand for electricity rises with the heat, some generating facilities and transmission lines remain offline for scheduled maintenance.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the order would “help ensure millions of American families and businesses across the mid‑Atlantic have access to affordable, reliable and secure electricity by making additional power generation, including backup power, available to use as needed.” He added that the decision also reflects the DOE’s broader goal of strengthening the nation’s electrical infrastructure.

Wright criticized the Biden administration’s energy policies, arguing that restrictions on conventional energy production had “weakened grid reliability.” The secretary’s remarks followed the Trump administration’s broader effort to loosen environmental rules that have, in the officials’ view, constrained power generation capacity.

Parallel Infrastructure Investments

While the emergency order addresses a short‑term supply concern, the DOE also announced plans to invest in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) transmission and distribution network. The agency said it would provide support for 84 projects across eight states, representing roughly $581 million in planned investments, including $250 million in federal funding. The projects are expected to add about 2.5 GW of grid capacity, improve reliability for 2.58 million families and businesses, and support around 800 jobs.

The TVA initiative is separate from the PJM emergency order and remains subject to final funding and regulatory approvals.

Industry Perspective

Neither the DOE nor the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) immediately responded to requests for comment. The emergency action underscores the increasing pressure on the electric grid as weather patterns shift and electricity demand outpaces the pace at which new capacity can be added.

As the DOE’s emergency order takes effect, grid operators and power producers across the region will work to keep the lights on while maintenance windows and unexpected weather continue to test the resilience of the United States’ power system.