The Trump administration has issued an emergency order to prevent possible blackouts across 13 states as warm October temperatures put a strain on the electrical grid serving over 60 million Americans. The Department of Energy authorized PJM Interconnection, a regional grid operator, to use additional power generation resources. Rising electricity demand and scheduled maintenance at power plants and transmission facilities necessitated this action.
The order, effective from Tuesday through Friday, October 16, under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, allows generating facilities to operate beyond normal restrictions if necessary to maintain electricity supplies.
States Affected
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 informed Fox News Digital that while they do not anticipate direct impacts on everyday customers, the increasing demand for electricity combined with unpredictable weather poses challenges for grid reliability. Jeff Shields, a PJM spokesperson, noted electricity demand is rising faster than new generating capacity, and unpredictable weather limits opportunities for essential maintenance and construction. He mentioned that planned maintenance now presents reliability risks previously faced only during extreme seasonal weather.
Government Response
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the order will ensure millions of American families and businesses in the mid-Atlantic have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity. The action provides additional power generation, including backup power.
Temperature increases are expected in parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions. This will raise electricity demand while some facilities and lines remain offline for maintenance. Wright criticized the energy policies under former President Joe Biden, suggesting that restrictions on conventional energy production have weakened grid reliability.
Infrastructure Investments
The emergency order comes as the Energy Department plans separate investments to strengthen the nation’s electrical infrastructure. The DOE announced support for 84 Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) transmission and distribution projects in eight states, totaling around $581 million in investments. These projects, including $250 million in federal funding, aim to add about 2.5 gigawatts of grid capacity, improve reliability for 2.58 million families and businesses, and support approximately 800 jobs. The TVA initiative is separate from the PJM emergency order, and final funding and regulatory approvals are pending.
Representatives for the Department of Energy and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Brittany Miller, a Fox News Digital breaking news writer and former Independent reporter, contributed to this article.
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