Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued two emergency orders to PJM Interconnection, LLC, directing actions to reduce blackout risks ahead of forecasted record peak electricity loads caused by hot weather in the Mid-Atlantic region. The first order requires dispatch of specified units to maintain grid reliability. The second permits PJM, along with Transmission Owners and Electric Distribution Companies, to deploy backup generation resources as a last resort before or during an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3, according to the DOE statement.
DOE estimates that over 35 gigawatts of unused backup generation are available nationwide. The emergency orders follow PJM applications submitted in late June 2026 and are effective from 11:59 PM EDT on June 30 through 11:59 PM EDT on July 3, 2026.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s 2026 Summer Reliability Assessment notes that PJM’s peak electricity demand occurs in the summer and that extreme high temperatures may require demand-response resources to manage load. The DOE highlighted that U.S. power outages cost approximately $44 billion annually.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized that maintaining affordable, reliable, and secure power in the PJM service territory is a priority. The statement also referenced past grid challenges and the Trump administration's focus on improving energy access for the Mid-Atlantic.