US energy secretary issues emergency order to curb mid-Atlantic blackout risk
The order, effective from October 13 through October 16, directs PJM Interconnection to dispatch specified units and lets it order backup generation into service as a last resort.
AI illustrationUS Energy Secretary Chris Wright has issued an emergency order to curb the risk of blackouts in the mid-Atlantic. The Department of Energy said the order comes ahead of a stretch of elevated demand, with many generators due to be offline for planned work during the autumn maintenance season and numerous transmission outages also planned.
The order directs PJM Interconnection to dispatch specified units and order them to run as needed to maintain reliability. As a last resort, PJM may also order backup generation into service, either before it declares an Energy Emergency Alert 3 or during one. It can call on its transmission owners and electric distribution companies to carry out the order where needed.
PJM applied for the order on October 11, 2026. The order is effective from October 13 through October 16, 2026.
Wright said that by making more generation, backup power included, available when needed, the order will help keep electricity affordable, reliable and secure for millions of families and businesses across the region. He also said policies of past leaders had made the grid more vulnerable to blackouts when there is no sun or wind, and that the administration remains committed to using all the tools it has to prevent them.
The department estimates that more than 35 GW of unused backup generation is still available nationwide.