Energy Department Extends Emergency Orders in the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic Ahead of Second Winter Storm

Secretary Wright extends four emergency orders to stabilize grids in the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic, deploy backup generation, save lives, and lower costs ahead of the second major winter storm in a week.

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 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).

Duke Energy and PJM requested these extensions because the emergency conditions will persist beyond the term of the original orders. The original orders were issued on January 24, 2026 and January 26, 2026.

"Winter Storm Fern proves that decisive action by the Trump Administration is crucial to reversing the dangerous energy subtraction agenda of the previous administration," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. "Those policies weakened the grid and left Americans more vulnerable. We are doing everything in our power to reverse those reckless decisions. The Trump Administration is committed to using every available tool, and unleashing all available power generation, to keep the lights on and Americans safe."

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.

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.

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