The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an emergency order authorizing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to deploy backup generation resources at data centers and other major facilities in response to Winter Storm Fern. The order, made under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, aims to help prevent blackouts across Texas during extreme winter weather.
Energy Secretary Wright said, “The Trump administration is committed to unleashing all available power generation needed to keep Americans safe during Winter Storm Fern. Unfortunately, the last administration had the nation on track to lose significant amounts of baseload power, but we are doing everything in our power to reverse those reckless decisions. The Trump administration will continue taking action to ensure that the 35 GW of untapped backup generation that exists across the country can be deployed as needed during Winter Storm Fern and in the future.”
DOE estimates there are more than 35 gigawatts of unused backup generation capacity nationwide. The emergency order follows a letter from Secretary Wright sent earlier this week urging grid operators to prepare for potential blackouts by readying backup generation.
President Trump previously declared a national energy emergency after concerns about grid reliability were raised due to recent policy changes. According to an assessment by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), demand for electricity during winter months is increasing rapidly, while closures of coal and natural gas plants have heightened vulnerability to outages. NERC’s 2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment warns that parts of the continental United States face increased blackout risks during severe weather.
Power outages result in significant economic losses each year; DOE’s National Laboratories estimate annual costs at $44 billion for Americans.
The emergency order will remain effective from January 24 through January 27, 2026.
NERC’s latest assessment also notes that ERCOT faces elevated risk this winter and may require additional operating measures or Energy Emergency Alerts if conditions worsen.
