DOE Gives PJM Temporary Grid Emergency Powers

The U.S. Department of Energy has authorized PJM Interconnection to direct designated power plants and use backup generation as needed to protect grid reliability across its regional system. The temporary order, issued by Energy Secretary Chris Wright on October 12, is in effect from October 13 through October 16, 2026. The order covers PJM’s service area, which includes all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. Those states are Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. PJM coordinates electricity transmission across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. PJM issued Maximum Generation and Load Management Alerts for October 13, citing unusually warm autumn weather and generation and transmission equipment taken out of service for maintenance or construction. The Department of Energy order gives the operator authority to bring specified generating units online and, when needed, access backup resources at data centers and other large electricity users. The order cites a PJM forecast of demand at approximately 111,500 megawatts or higher for October 13.