WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) overnight extended four emergency orders to mitigate the risk of blackouts in the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic, as well as New England, ahead of extended winter weather, with below-freezing temperatures projected over the weekend and into early next week.
Pursuant to Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, two orders were issued to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress (collectively, Duke Energy) and two were issued to PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM). In New England, the extension authorizes ISO New England Inc. (ISO-NE) to run specified resources located within the ISO-NE region, regardless of limits established by environmental permits or state law.
Duke Energy, PJM, and ISO-NE requested the extension because the emergency conditions will persist beyond the term of the original order. The original orders were issued on January 24, 25, and 26, 2026.
“The Trump Administration is committed to using every available tool and unleashing all available power generation to keep the lights on and Americans safe,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
On day one, President Trump declared a national energy emergency after the Biden Administration’s energy subtraction agenda left behind a grid increasingly vulnerable to blackouts. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), “Winter electricity demand is rising at the fastest rate in recent years,” while the premature forced closure of reliable generation, such as coal and natural gas plants, leaves American families vulnerable to power outages. The NERC 2025 – 2026 Winter Reliability Assessment further warns that areas across the continental United States have an elevated risk of blackouts during extreme weather conditions.
Power outages cost the American people $44 billion per year, according to data from DOE’s National Laboratories. This order will help mitigate power outages in the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas and highlights the commonsense policies of the Trump Administration to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity.
ISO-NE Order No. 202-26-03A is now valid through 11:59 PM ET on February 14, 2026.
PJM Order 202-26-02A is now valid through 11:59 PM ET on February 2, 2026.
PJM Order 202-26-06A is now valid through 11:59 PM ET on February 2, 2026.
Duke Order 202-26-05A is now valid through 12:00 PM ET on February 3, 2026.
Duke Order 202-26-07A is now valid through 12:00 PM ET on February 3, 2026.
BACKGROUND
These orders are in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order: Declaring a National Energy Emergency and will ensure the availability of generation needed to meet high electricity demand and minimize the risk of blackouts.
Tagged with DOE, infrastructure, power grid, weather