Secretary Wright Issues Emergency Order to Secure Southeast Power Grid Amid Heat Wave – Department of Energy (.gov)

Department of Energy Issues Emergency Order to Address Southeast U.S. Power Grid Challenges

Introduction

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an emergency order under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to mitigate potential power grid shortfalls in the Southeast United States. This action responds to surging electricity demand driven by extreme weather conditions and aims to prevent blackouts during peak summer periods.

Emergency Order Details

1. Authority: The order is authorized by Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, enabling DOE to support energy providers during emergencies.
2. Duration: The order is effective from June 24 to June 25, 2025.
3. Scope: Duke Energy Carolinas is authorized to operate specific electric generating units at maximum output to ensure reliable power supply.
4. Objective: To maintain grid reliability and prevent blackouts amid high electricity demand caused by extreme temperatures.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This emergency order supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – By ensuring continuous and reliable electricity supply, the DOE promotes access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The order enhances the resilience and sustainability of energy infrastructure in the Southeast region.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Preventing blackouts contributes to the safety and sustainability of urban and rural communities.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – While addressing immediate energy demands, the DOE balances emergency responses with environmental considerations through regulated waivers.

Statements from Leadership

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized the importance of grid reliability: “As electricity demand reaches its peak, Americans should not be forced to wonder if their power grid can support their homes and businesses. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy will use all tools available to maintain a reliable, affordable, and secure energy system for the American people. This order ensures Duke Energy Carolinas can supply its customers with consistent and reliable power throughout peak summer demand.”

Regulatory and Environmental Considerations

• The emergency order includes waivers of federal, state, or local environmental laws and regulations as necessary to enable maximum generation output.
• These waivers are limited and designed to prioritize public safety and environmental protection.
• The action aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, ensuring the availability of generation capacity during critical periods.

Background

Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act empowers the DOE to support energy companies in emergencies by temporarily waiving regulatory constraints to maintain reliable power supply. This mechanism is crucial for addressing sudden surges in demand and extreme weather events, thereby contributing to the resilience of the national energy system.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article focuses on maintaining a reliable and affordable energy supply during peak demand, which directly relates to SDG 7’s aim to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The emergency order to maintain grid reliability highlights the importance of resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization, aligning with SDG 9.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Although the article discusses waivers of environmental laws during emergencies, it implicitly connects to climate action by addressing extreme weather conditions and energy system resilience.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 7 Targets:
   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (implied by the focus on energy system reliability and emergency measures).
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency (implied by managing peak demand and grid reliability).
2. SDG 9 Targets:
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
3. SDG 13 Targets:
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 7:
   • Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of population with access to electricity (implied by ensuring reliable power supply).
   • Indicator 7.1.2: Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean cooking fuels and technology (not directly mentioned but related to energy access quality).
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption (implied by the energy system’s sustainability focus).
   • Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP (implied by managing peak demand and efficiency).
2. For SDG 9:
   • Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road (infrastructure accessibility, indirectly related).
   • Indicator 9.1.2: Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport (infrastructure use and reliability, indirectly related).
3. For SDG 13:
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population (implied by mitigating blackout risks during extreme weather).
   • Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies (implied by emergency orders and preparedness).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: energy.gov