DOE grants PJM emergency authority to boost power generation across 13 states

On Oct. 12 the Department of Energy, led by Secretary Chris Wright, issued a temporary emergency directive empowering PJM Interconnection to order specific power plants to run and to draw on backup sources such as standby generators or battery storage through Oct. 16. PJM, which coordinates electricity flow across all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia, faced a convergence of high demand—forecast to exceed 111,500 megawatts—and routine maintenance that reduces transmission capability.

The order is intended to prevent service interruptions, not to impose scheduled blackouts, and includes the option to request voluntary load reductions from large industrial and commercial customers. Federal and grid officials highlighted that the emergency framework follows NERC Reliability Standard EOP-011-4, which allows public appeals for voluntary demand cuts and outlines manual load-shedding procedures for extreme weather. Residents are not expected to experience immediate changes, but may be asked to curb non-essential use during peak periods if the grid tightens further.