2026 DOE 202(c) Orders

On January 25, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency order no. 202-26-04 pursuant to section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The order was issued subsequent to ERCOT’s application. In the event that ERCOT determines that generation from the Specified Resources is necessary to meet the electricity demand that ERCOT anticipates in its service territory, ERCOT is directed to dispatch such unit or units and to order their operation only as needed to maintain reliability. This Order shall be effective upon its issuance, and shall expire at 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 2026.
On January 25, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency order no. 202-26-03, pursuant to section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, to ISO New England Inc. (ISO-NE). The order was issued subsequent to ISO-NE’s application. The order authorizes ISO-NE’s generating units located within the ISO-NE region to operate up to their maximum generation output levels, notwithstanding air quality or other permit limitations arising under federal, state, or local law or regulation, or other applicable source of law. This order is in effect beginning on January 25, 2026, and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. EST on January 31, 2026.
On January 24, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency order no. 202-26-02, pursuant to section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, to PJM Interconnection, Inc (PJM). The order was issued subsequent to PJM’s application. The order allows PJM to run all electric generating units located within the PJM Region and to operate up to their maximum generation output levels, notwithstanding air quality or other permit limitations or fuel shortages during the pendency of this emergency. This order is in effect beginning on January 25, 2026 and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. EST on January 31, 2026.
On January 24, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency order no. 202-26-01, pursuant to section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. The order was issued subsequent to ERCOT's application. The order authorizes ERCOT to direct backup generation resources at data centers and other large load customers to operate as a last resort before declaring an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3 or during an EEA 3. This order is in effect immediately and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. EST on January 27, 2026.