The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reported that its actions during recent winter storms helped prevent widespread blackouts and ensured electricity access for millions of Americans. According to the DOE, these efforts were a response to emergency conditions caused by Winter Storm Fern, which officials say was more severe than Texas’ Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated, “We will not allow reckless energy subtraction policies and bureaucratic red tape to put American lives at risk. These orders will mitigate blackouts and help restore affordable and reliable electricity, so American families thrive and America’s manufacturing industries can once again boom.”
The department explained that since President Trump declared a national energy emergency on his first day in office, it has reversed several policies from the previous administration. The DOE claims these changes, along with new emergency measures during the storms, played a key role in maintaining grid reliability.
During Winter Storm Fern, about one million people lost power compared to over 4.5 million during Winter Storm Uri in Texas three years earlier. The DOE issued 39 emergency orders and extensions—20 specifically aimed at keeping reliable power online—to help secure the energy grid during this period.
Chris Wright emphasized the impact of coal plants: “Beautiful, clean coal was the MVP of the huge cold snap we're in right now. I can say with some confidence, hundreds of American lives have been saved because of President Trump’s actions saving America’s coal industry.” The administration kept five coal plants operational ahead of Winter Storm Fern; three were located within storm-impacted regions and provided essential electricity throughout the event.
Data released by the DOE shows that hydrocarbons supplied 71% of power across affected areas at peak demand during the storm, while nuclear sources brought total non-renewable supply up to 86%. Solar contributed just 2%, with wind at 8%. In New England—where most coal plants have closed—hydrocarbons still made up two-thirds of peak generation.
Electricity generation from traditional sources increased significantly: coal rose by 25%, natural gas by 47%, and oil use surged nearly twentyfold compared to last year’s figures for similar conditions. Meanwhile, wind output dropped by 40% and solar produced only about one-tenth its maximum potential.
To further support grid stability, Secretary Wright asked grid operators nationwide to prepare backup generation resources at major facilities such as data centers. The department responded quickly to requests for assistance—in Texas, Florida, and other regions—by authorizing backup units to operate at full capacity if needed. During a prolonged cold snap in Florida alone, seven emergency orders allowed local utilities—including grocery chains like Publix—to utilize their own backup generators.
Recent federal initiatives under previous administrations have focused on resilience through investments such as a $225 million program funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law designed to help states implement updated building energy codes (https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-225-million-program-lower-utility-bills-through-more). Other programs have supported disadvantaged communities through targeted grants (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-more-140-programs-supporting-president-bidens-justice40-initiative), promoted technology development for environmental management (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/technology-development-aiding-em-mission-senior-advisor-white-tells-congress), addressed groundwater issues using innovative processes (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/srs-tackles-groundwater-issue-using-innovative-passive-energy-process), advanced clean vehicle technologies (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-96-million-advancing-clean-vehicle-technologies-reduce-carbon-emissions), and encouraged international collaboration on clean energy transitions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sebmi2QGbV4).
According to data compiled from various regional grid monitors on January 25th—the height of Winter Storm Fern—the combined effect of these interventions was critical in avoiding larger-scale outages.
