WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued an emergency order to mitigate blackouts in the Carolinas amid hot weather conditions. Issued pursuant to Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, the order authorizes Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (“DEC”) and Duke Energy Progress, LLC (“DEP”) (collectively, “Duke Energy”) to operate specified units up to their maximum generation output levels, notwithstanding air quality or other permit limitations arising under federal, state, or local environmental laws or regulations. This order was issued pursuant to an application from Duke Energy. The order will mitigate the risk of blackouts brought on by unusually high load forecasts and hot weather conditions across the region.
“Maintaining affordable, reliable, and secure power in the Duke Energy service territory is non-negotiable,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The previous administration’s energy subtraction policies weakened the grid, leaving Americans more vulnerable during events like this. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are reversing those failures and using every available tool ensuring Americans in the Carolinas’ have continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes.”
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.
The order is in effect beginning on July 2, 2026, and shall expire at 10:00 PM EDT on July 6, 2026.
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