The U.S. Department of Energy has extended four emergency orders to help stabilize electricity grids in the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic as a second major winter storm is expected to hit these regions. The extensions come as temperatures are forecasted to remain below freezing through the weekend and into early next week.
Two of the orders were issued to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, while two others were directed at PJM Interconnection, LLC. These utilities requested extensions because emergency conditions are expected to continue beyond the expiration of the original orders, which were issued on January 24 and January 26, 2026.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated, “Winter Storm Fern proves that decisive action by the Trump Administration is crucial to reversing the dangerous energy subtraction agenda of the previous administration. Those policies weakened the grid and left Americans more vulnerable. We are doing everything in our power to reverse those reckless decisions. The Trump Administration is committed to using every available tool, and unleashing all available power generation, to keep the lights on and Americans safe.”
The extension of these orders follows President Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency on his first day in office, citing concerns about grid vulnerability due to what he described as prior policies that led to early closures of coal and natural gas plants.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has reported an increase in winter electricity demand in recent years. Its Winter Reliability Assessment for 2025–2026 warns that several areas across the continental United States face an elevated risk of blackouts during periods of extreme weather.
According to data from DOE’s National Laboratories, power outages cost Americans $44 billion annually. The department stated that these latest orders aim to reduce such outages in affected regions by ensuring access to reliable power during extreme conditions.
Under the new terms:
– PJM Order 202-26-02A is valid until 11:59 PM ET on February 2, 2026.
– PJM Order 202-26-06A is valid until 11:59 PM ET on February 2, 2026.
– Duke Order 202-26-05A remains effective until noon ET on February 3, 2026.
– Duke Order 202-26-07A also continues through noon ET on February 3, 2026.
These measures follow President Trump’s executive order declaring a national energy emergency and are intended to ensure sufficient generation capacity is available during high demand periods brought on by severe winter weather.
