US Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to ensure reliable electricity across PJM Interconnection’s 13-state region and DC through winter 2025. The order allows Talen Energy’s Wagner Generating Station in Maryland to operate beyond normal limits to meet expected demand and prevent blackouts for 65 million Americans. The DOE writes:
Citing continued “energy emergency” conditions and reliability risks identified by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Wright said the action supports access to affordable, secure power during extreme weather. The order, effective Oct. 26 through Dec. 31, 2025, renews a similar emergency authorization first granted in July. The DOE writes:
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today issued an emergency order authorized by Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act ensuring Americans maintain access to reliable, affordable, and secure energy without interruption. The emergency order permits PJM Interconnection (PJM), in coordination with the Talen Energy Corporation, to run specified units at the Wagner Generating Station to meet anticipated electricity demand heading into the winter months.
“On Day One, President Trump declared an energy emergency and began reversing the impacts of the dangerous energy subtraction policies of the previous administration. Unfortunately, the energy emergency continues to impact many regions of our nation,” Secretary Wright said. “To ensure 65 million Americans in 13 states and D.C. do not experience blackouts in the coming winter months, I am issuing an emergency order for PJM Interconnection. Americans deserve reliable power regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining and especially during a cold snap. The Trump administration is committed to keeping your families safe and restoring access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity.”
As outlined in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s Winter Reliability Assessment, PJM’s service area faces “risks of electricity supply shortfalls during periods of more extreme conditions” this winter.
Source: North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s Winter Reliability Assessment
Secretary Wright recently granted PJM’s request to allow for the dispatch and operation of Unit 4 of the Maryland-based Wagner Generating Station in exceedance of its operating limit on July 28. This emergency action ensured that the 65 million Americans in PJM’s service area maintained access to reliable, affordable energy during the summer months. The “growing resource adequacy concern” that PJM cited in their July request still exists today.
PJM anticipates a continued need to schedule Unit 4 at the Wagner Generating Station in the final months of the year and submitted a renewal application to alleviate the emergency through the end of 2025. Last winter, they reported 11 instances in a single month where Unit 4 ran to support record high loads.
This order takes effect on October 26, 2025, and will continue through December 31, 2025.
