Secretary Wright extends emergency order to stabilize New England’s grid, save lives, and lower costs ahead of the second major winter storm in a week
WASHINGTON—U.S. Department of Energy extended an emergency order to mitigate blackouts in New England ahead of more winter weather, with below freezing temperatures projected over the weekend and into early next week. Pursuant to Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, the extension authorizes ISO New England Inc. (ISO-NE) to run specified resources located within the ISO-NE region, regardless of limits established by environmental permits or state law.
ISO-NE requested the extension because the emergency conditions will persist beyond the term of the original order. The original order was issued on January 25, 2026.
“This winter storm demonstrates why the Trump Administration continues to reverse the dangerous energy subtraction agenda of the previous administration,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Those policies weakened the grid and left Americans more vulnerable to blackouts and higher electricity prices. We are doing everything in our power to reverse those reckless decisions. The Trump Administration is committed to using every available tool, and unleashing all available power generation, to keep the lights on and Americans safe.”
On day one, President Trump declared a national energy emergency after the Biden Administration’s energy subtraction agenda left behind a grid increasingly vulnerable to blackouts. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), “Winter electricity demand is rising at the fastest rate in recent years,” while the premature forced closure of reliable generation such as coal and natural gas plants leaves American families vulnerable to power outages. The NERC 2025 – 2026 Winter Reliability Assessment further warns that areas across the continental United States have an elevated risk of blackouts during extreme weather conditions.
Power outages cost the American people $44 billion per year, according to data from DOE’s National Laboratories. This order will help mitigate power outages in the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas and highlights the commonsense policies of the Trump Administration to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable and secure electricity.
This order is now valid through 11:59 PM ET on February 14, 2026.
BACKGROUND
These orders are in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order: Declaring a National Energy Emergency and will ensure the availability of generation and minimize the risk of blackouts.
###
