U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order to address the risk of energy shortfalls in the Mid-Atlantic region. The directive instructs PJM Interconnection, working with Constellation Energy, to keep Units 3 and 4 of the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania available for operation. This action is intended to reduce the likelihood of power outages.
“With unprecedented energy demand and resource retirements outpacing new generation additions, the country is facing an energy emergency. Today’s order proves that the Trump Administration is dedicated to confronting this critical issue,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “This administration considers power outages and soaring energy costs to be unacceptable.”
A report from the Department of Energy (DOE) warns that if reliable power sources continue to be retired without sufficient replacements, power outages could become much more frequent by 2030.
Secretary Wright previously ordered the two Eddystone units to remain online past their planned retirement date on May 30, 2025. Over the past three months, these units have contributed to regional energy security, particularly when PJM called upon them during heat waves in June and July.
The conditions that prompted the initial emergency order remain present. The new order takes effect August 28, 2025, and will last until November 26, 2025.
PJM Interconnection has expressed concerns about resource adequacy for several years. In a February 2023 report, PJM pointed out growing risks related to reliability due to timing mismatches between retiring resources and new generation coming online.
In December 2024, PJM submitted a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission noting substantial increases in electricity load growth and rising concerns about maintaining adequate resources (source).
During a March 2025 congressional hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Manu Asthana, President and CEO of PJM Interconnection, testified about growing challenges related to ensuring enough resources are available across significant parts of the country (source).
