Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Energy Department may have played a significant role in mitigating power outages during Winter Storm Fern, which was reported as more severe and widespread than the 2021 Texas Winter Storm Uri. While over 4.5 million Texas residents lost power during Uri, approximately one million lost power during Winter Storm Fern, according to the department’s statement.
Under President Trump, the Energy Department issued 39 emergency orders and extensions, including 20 focused on maintaining reliable power and securing the electricity grid. During the crisis, fifteen orders and five extensions were issued within one week, with turnaround times averaging under five hours per order, according to the department.
Actions included suspending regulations limiting power generation and keeping coal plants operational that were scheduled for closure. Specifically, five coal plants remained online ahead of Winter Storm Fern, ensuring more than 17 gigawatts of coal-powered electricity remained available in 2025. The Energy Department credited these actions with saving lives during the cold snap.
The department also noted that previous policies called for the forced closure of coal and natural gas plants, which could have increased blackout risks by 2030. The administration sought to reverse these policies to improve grid reliability and affordability during the energy emergency.