Trump Energy Department issues emergency order to prevent blackouts across 13 states amid unusual October heat
The Trump administration has issued an emergency order aimed at preventing potential blackouts across 13 states as unseasonably warm October temperatures strain the electrical grid serving more than 60 million Americans.The Department of Energy authorized PJM Interconnection, a regional grid operator, to use additional power generation resources as rising electricity demand coincides with scheduled maintenance at power plants and transmission facilities.The order, issued Monday under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, takes effect Tuesday and remains in place through Friday, Oct.16.
It allows certain generating facilities to operate beyond normal restrictions if needed to maintain electricity supplies.WHO PAYS FOR US POWER BOOM? BLUE, RED STATES OFFER STARKLY DIFFERENT WAYS TO LOWER UTILITY BILLS AMID AI SURGEPower lines (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)PJM serves all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.PJM Interconnection told Fox News Digital it does not expect the emergency conditions to affect everyday customers but warned that rising electricity demand and unpredictable weather patterns are creating new challenges for grid reliability.Jeff Shields, a spokesperson for PJM, said electricity demand is growing faster than new generating capacity can come online, while unpredictable weather is leaving fewer opportunities for critical maintenance and construction.Shields added that planned maintenance periods now present reliability risks that grid operators previously faced primarily during summer and winter.LAWMAKERS TARGET ENERGY AFFORDABILITY THROUGH SWEEPING PERMITTING OVERHAUL IN NEW HOUSE BILLPresident Donald Trump holds up an executive order on American energy production after signing it during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House April 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)"This order will ...