Trump's Energy Department Issues Emergency Order to Prevent Blackouts in 13 States Amid Unseasonable October Heat

Energy Department Allows PJM Interconnection to Use Backup Power as Unseasonable October Heat Strains Grid in 13 States

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The Trump administration has issued an emergency order aimed at preventing potential blackouts in 13 states as unseasonably warm October stresses the power grid, which serves more than 60 million Americans.

The Department of Energy authorized PJM Interconnection, a regional grid operator, to use additional power generation resources as increased electricity demand coincides with scheduled maintenance at power plants and transmission facilities.

The order, issued Monday under Section 202(c) of the Federal Electricity Act, goes into effect Tuesday and will remain in effect until Friday, Oct. 16. The order allows some generating facilities to operate beyond normal limits if needed to maintain power supplies.

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PJM serves all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC.

PJM spokesman Jeff Shields said electricity demand is growing faster than new generating capacity can come online, while unpredictable weather leaves fewer opportunities for critical maintenance and construction.

Shields added that scheduled maintenance periods now create reliability risks that grid operators previously faced mainly in the summer and winter.

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"This order will help ensure that millions of American families and businesses across the Mid-Atlantic will have access to affordable, reliable and safe electricity, and that additional power generation, including backup power, will be available for use when needed," said Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

The emergency action comes as temperatures in parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic are expected to rise into the 70s and 80s, increasing electricity demand while some generating facilities and transmission lines are offline for maintenance.

Wright also criticized energy policies under former President Joe Biden, arguing that limits on conventional energy generation have undermined grid reliability.

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This emergency order comes as the Ministry of Energy pursues separate investments to strengthen the country's electricity infrastructure.

DOE recently announced support for 84 Tennessee Valley transmission and distribution projects in eight states, representing approximately $581 million in planned investment.

The projects, which include $250 million in federal funding, are expected to add approximately 2.5 gigawatts of grid capacity, improve reliability for 2.58 million homes and businesses, and support approximately 800 jobs.

TVA's initiative seeks relief from PJM's emergency order, and its final funding and regulatory approvals are still pending.

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