DOE Declares Power Grid Emergency as Extreme Heat Strains PJM Electricity Supply

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has declared an emergency across the nation's largest power grid as extreme heat drives electricity demand to critical levels, raising concerns about power supply reliability.

In an emergency order issued Tuesday under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, the DOE said a statutory emergency exists within the PJM Interconnection service area due to rapidly rising electricity demand and limited available generation capacity. The agency said the action is necessary to maintain grid stability, ensure adequate power supplies, and protect public safety during the ongoing heat wave.

PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization responsible for operating the electric grid across much of the eastern United States, formally requested the emergency authorization on June 29. The grid operator warned of an "imminent electricity reliability emergency" as weather forecasts called for temperatures of approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher across large parts of its service territory.

According to PJM, electricity demand is expected to reach about 159,563 megawatts (MW) on July 1 and climb further to roughly 162,860 MW on July 2. Such peak load levels significantly increase the risk of supply shortages, placing additional pressure on power plants and transmission infrastructure.

PJM also noted that certain power generation facilities could face operational limitations because of environmental permit restrictions or state regulatory requirements. Those constraints could reduce available generation capacity at a time when electricity consumption is expected to remain exceptionally high.

The DOE said its emergency order provides greater operational flexibility to help ensure enough electricity remains available throughout the heat event. Officials warned that without emergency measures, prolonged extreme temperatures could place severe stress on the PJM grid, increasing the likelihood of reliability issues and making it more difficult to meet customer demand across one of the nation's largest electricity markets.