DOE Declares PJM Grid Emergency to Avert Blackouts Amid Autumn Strain
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued an emergency order for the PJM Interconnection grid, affecting 13 states and Washington, D.C., to prevent potential blackouts. The directive, effective through October 16, allows power plants to bypass standard operating restrictions and deploy backup generation. Officials cite elevated demand, autumn maintenance outages, and unseasonable heat as primary drivers of the strain. While widespread outages are not currently anticipated, the move aims to ensure reliable electricity for over 67 million people.