With record-breaking temperatures sweeping across the southeastern United States, the Department of Energy took emergency steps Tuesday to keep the power running, the Daily Caller reported.
The Department of Energy authorized Duke Energy Carolinas to temporarily run certain generating units at full output in an effort to prevent electrical outages as the summer heatwave threatens the region’s power supply.
The emergency order is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to strengthen a national power grid that, according to recent assessments, is vulnerable during periods of high demand such as this year’s extreme summer weather. Issued Tuesday, the DOE directive allows Duke Energy Carolinas to exceed some standard operating limits until Wednesday night.
Duke Energy Carolinas delivers electricity throughout the Carolinas, with its parent company serving customers across seven states—Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The order comes as these areas experience a prolonged heatwave expected to last several days.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated the measure enables Duke Energy Carolinas to maintain a steady power supply during a period when demand is expected to peak. “This order ensures Duke Energy Carolinas can supply its customers with consistent and reliable power throughout peak summer demand,” Wright said Tuesday.
The order follows a similar one issued less than a month earlier. On May 23, Energy Secretary Wright directed a grid operator to continue operating a coal-fired plant in Michigan to address stressed grid conditions in the region.
Just days after that earlier intervention, New Orleans—also under the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)—experienced a large-scale blackout on May 25. The incident underscored worries about the readiness and durability of the power grid during extreme weather.
According to a 2024 report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, several large grid operators face what the agency called an “elevated risk” of falling short in meeting summer electricity needs. This has prompted calls for reliable backup generation, especially during periods of extreme heat or cold.
Utilities often rely on fossil fuels to compensate for energy shortages during high-demand periods. Industry experts have stressed the need for dependable sources, noting that coal, nuclear, and natural gas remain key to ensuring a consistent flow of power during critical times.
The Trump administration has aimed to reverse course on regulations implemented under President Joe Biden that focused on clean energy and environmental protections. Since returning to the office, President Trump declared a national energy emergency on day one, a sign of his focus on traditional energy production.
Critics of Biden-era policies argue that regulatory limits and expansions of renewable energy efforts have contributed to supply constraints. Wright and other officials pointed to the early retirement of coal plants and fewer permits for fossil fuel development as reasons for the grid’s shortcomings.
In contrast, the current administration supports loosening such rules to keep fossil fuel-based plants in operation longer and available for peak usage events such as the current heat surge.
The emergency power order for Duke Energy Carolinas gives the utility short-term flexibility to meet region-wide energy needs. However, it also signals a potentially challenging summer ahead if high heat continues and demand remains elevated.
Officials have asked consumers to be mindful of their electricity use during peak hours, suggesting reduced usage of major appliances and increased thermostat settings to help ease strain on the network. Such voluntary actions could forestall additional orders or outages as heat persists.
Energy Secretary Wright emphasized that “under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy will use all tools available” to provide affordable, secure, and dependable power to American households and industries as the summer progresses.
