Energy Department Issues Emergency Grid Order to PJM

Grid operator PJM says it requested and received a combined emergency order from the Energy Department, effective October 13 through 16. The 202c order lets PJM call on generators beyond their operating permits as needed and direct data centers and other large customers onto backup generation if necessary. PJM says the Energy Department issued similar orders during extreme conditions earlier in 2026, and that it has not yet had to use large-load backup generation.

The cause is unusually warm fall weather hitting during planned maintenance season, PJM says. Transmission and generation equipment is normally taken offline from mid-September through early December so it is ready for winter peaks. Generation outages stood at approximately 61,000 MW on Tuesday, along with key transmission outages for maintenance and major construction. PJM recalled all active generation maintenance outage tickets effective noon October 14.

PJM extended a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert, first issued for October 13, through October 14. A Capacity Advisory stays in place for both days. For the afternoon peak and the evening peak when solar output drops to zero, PJM issued a Pre-Emergency Load Management Action, which calls on demand response programs that pay customers in advance to cut use when the grid is stressed. It also recalled non-firm sales to neighboring systems and warned neighbors that exports may be curtailed.

Mike Bryson, a PJM senior executive, said unseasonable weather is leaving fewer days for maintenance and construction and called it the new reality for grid operators. He said PJM is confident its procedures and the Energy Department orders give it the tools to keep reserve margins and operate reliably. Above-normal temperatures are forecast across much of the PJM region through October 14, with hotter conditions continuing to the south and west.