U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order to keep Unit 2 of the Centralia Generating Station in Washington operational through the winter months. The decision comes as concerns grow over grid reliability and the risk of blackouts in the Northwestern United States.
Unit 2 at the Centralia coal plant was previously scheduled to close at the end of 2025. The new order requires TransAlta, which operates the facility, to keep it available for operation from December 16, 2025, until March 16, 2026. Officials say this measure is intended to support grid stability and ensure that electricity remains affordable and accessible during periods of high demand.
“The last administration’s energy subtraction policies had the United States on track to experience significantly more blackouts in the coming years — thankfully, President Trump won’t let that happen,” said Energy Secretary Wright. “The Trump administration will continue taking action to keep America’s coal plants running so we can stop the price spikes and ensure we don’t lose critical generation sources. Americans deserve access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to heat their homes all the time, regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.”
A recent report from the Department of Energy found that blackouts could increase dramatically by 2030 if dependable power sources are retired too quickly. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) also noted in its Winter Reliability Assessment for 2025-2026 that regions like WECC Northwest face higher risks during severe weather events such as extended cold spells.
The NERC assessment warns that extreme winter conditions across large areas may lead to shortages in electricity supply. Additionally, peak electricity demand in the U.S. has risen by 2.5% compared with last winter.
