Energy Secretary Secures Grid Amid Period of Hot Weather

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order to mitigate blackout risks and keep Americans powered during the region’s energy emergency brought on by hot weather conditions. The order directs the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) to dispatch specified units and to order their operation as needed to maintain reliability. The order also authorizes SPP to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort before declaring an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3 or during an EEA 3. The order was issued pursuant to a request from SPP.

“The Trump Administration is tapping into an abundant supply of unused backup generation to maintain affordable, reliable, and secure power for hardworking American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The previous administration’s energy subtraction policies weakened the grid, leaving Americans more vulnerable during emergency events. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are reversing those failures and using every available tool to ensure Americans have continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes.” 

DOE estimates more than 35 gigawatts (GW) of unused backup generation remains available nationwide.  

On day one of his second term, President Trump declared a national energy emergency after the Biden administration’s energy subtraction agenda left behind a grid increasingly vulnerable to blackouts.  

Power outages cost the American people $44 billion per year, according to data from DOE’s National Laboratories. This order mitigates the possibility of power outages in the region and highlights the common sense policies of the Trump Administration to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure power.

The order was effective upon issuance on July 20, 2026, and shall expire at 11:59 PM ET on July 21, 2026.