The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended four emergency orders aimed at reducing the risk of power outages in the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic as another major winter storm approaches. The decision comes after forecasts indicated that below-freezing temperatures are expected to persist over the weekend and into early next week.
Two of the orders were issued to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, while two others were directed to PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM). Both Duke Energy and PJM requested these extensions because emergency conditions are expected to continue beyond the original order periods, which began on January 24 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.”
President Trump declared a national energy emergency on his first day in office, citing concerns about an increasingly vulnerable grid attributed to earlier policy changes. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently reported that winter electricity demand is increasing rapidly while closures of coal and natural gas plants have reduced reliability during extreme weather events. NERC’s Winter Reliability Assessment for 2025–2026 indicates that many areas across the continental United States face a higher risk of blackouts under severe weather conditions.
According to DOE’s National Laboratories, annual costs from power outages total $44 billion nationwide. The current emergency orders aim to help reduce such disruptions in electricity supply for residents in affected regions.
The updated orders extend through February 2 or February 3, 2026:
– PJM Order 202-26-02A and Order 202-26-06A are valid until 11:59 PM ET on February 2.
– Duke Order 202-26-05A and Order 202-26-07A are valid until noon ET on February 3.
These actions align with President Trump’s executive order declaring a national energy emergency, intended to secure sufficient electricity generation during high demand periods and lower blackout risks.
