The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it is ready to use emergency measures to help prevent blackouts during the upcoming winter storm Fern. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright sent a letter to grid operators, asking them to stay in close contact with DOE and prepare backup generation resources at data centers and other large facilities in case they are needed.
According to DOE, there are more than 35 gigawatts (GW) of unused backup generation capacity available across the country. These resources could be used if necessary to reduce the risk of power outages and help lower costs for Americans during the storm.
Secretary Wright said, “The Trump administration will not stand by and allow the previous administration’s reckless energy subtraction policies and bureaucratic red tape put American lives at risk. We have identified more than 35 GW of unused backup generation that exists across the country and are taking action to ensure that if the nation needs it, the generation will be made available. Rest assured, President Trump and the Energy Department remain committed to doing everything in our power to mitigate blackouts and lower energy costs for the American people.”
President Trump declared a national energy emergency on his first day in office. The DOE referenced findings from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which reported that demand for electricity during winter is rising quickly, while early closures of coal and natural gas plants have increased risks of blackouts. NERC’s Winter Reliability Assessment for 2025–2026 warns that much of the continental United States faces an elevated threat of outages during severe weather.
DOE data show that power outages cost Americans about $44 billion each year. The department says its new draft order is intended to reduce these costs by improving reliability during winter months.
Under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, this draft order would require certain backup resources—such as those at data centers or industrial sites—to be made available only after other demand response measures are exhausted and just before an official declaration of an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 by a Reliability Coordinator.
