The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order on July 14, 2026, to mitigate blackout risks across the Mid-Atlantic region ahead of forecasted high temperatures and increased system load. The directive instructs regional grid operator PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to dispatch specified power units to maintain system reliability, according to an announcement from the US Department of Energy.
PJM submitted an application for the emergency intervention on July 13, 2026. Under the new terms, the organization can direct backup generation resources as a last resort either before declaring an Energy Emergency Alert 3 or while operating during one. The grid operator is also authorized to instruct its Transmission Owners and Electric Distribution Companies to execute the order as needed.
The emergency measure takes effect on July 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT and expires on July 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT. Data from the agency's National Laboratories indicates power outages cost the American public $44 billion annually. The department estimates that more than 35 gigawatts of unused backup generation remain available nationwide.
Summer Demand and Reliability
Peak electricity demand across the PJM territory occurs during the summer season, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's 2026 Summer Reliability Assessment. NERC noted that PJM expects to require demand-response resources to reduce load if extreme high temperatures occur.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated that maintaining affordable, reliable, and secure power in the PJM service territory is non-negotiable. Wright criticized previous energy policies for weakening the grid, citing a national energy emergency declared by President Trump on his first day in office to address grid vulnerability.
