Emergency order issued to prevent blackouts in Mid-Atlantic this winter
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order aimed at minimizing the risk of power outages in the Mid-Atlantic region ahead of the winter months. The directive instructs PJM Interconnection (PJM), in partnership with Constellation Energy, to keep Units 3 and 4 at the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania available for operation. The move is intended to bolster grid reliability and control energy costs as temperatures drop.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is using all tools available to keep the lights on and heat running for the American people,” said Energy Secretary Wright. “This emergency order is needed to strengthen grid reliability and will help provide affordable, reliable, and secure power when Americans need it most.”
The Department of Energy’s Resource Adequacy Report has indicated that if reliable power sources are removed from service, there could be a significant increase in power outages by 2030.
Earlier this year, Secretary Wright had ordered that the two Eddystone units remain online beyond their scheduled retirement date through an emergency order issued on May 30, 2025. Their continued operation during summer was cited as important for maintaining energy security during heat waves in June and July. Another related order followed on August 28, 2025.
PJM continues to face both short-term and long-term emergency conditions regarding resource adequacy. In January 2025, PJM recorded its highest-ever winter electricity demand, surpassing a previous record set in 2015.
The current emergency order will be effective from November 26, 2025 through February 24, 2026.
Concerns about grid reliability have been raised by PJM over several years. A report released by PJM in February 2023 highlighted growing concerns over resource adequacy due to mismatches between plant retirements, increasing electricity demand, and delays in bringing new generation online. In December 2024, PJM filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stating that load growth is accelerating faster than anticipated and resource adequacy risks are rising quickly. During a March 2025 congressional hearing, Manu Asthana—President & CEO of PJM—testified about expanding concerns over resource adequacy affecting much of the country.
