The U.S. Department of Energy has extended an emergency order aimed at stabilizing the electricity grid in New England as another major winter storm approaches. The extension, issued under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, allows ISO New England Inc. (ISO-NE) to operate certain power resources regardless of environmental permit limits or state laws.
The decision comes as forecasts predict below-freezing temperatures for the region over the weekend and into early next week. ISO-NE requested the extension due to ongoing emergency conditions that are expected to last beyond the term of the original order, which was put in place 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.”
President Trump declared a national energy emergency on his first day in office following concerns about increased grid vulnerability attributed to prior policy changes. Reports from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) indicate that winter electricity demand is rising quickly while closures of coal and natural gas plants have heightened risks for outages during extreme weather events.
Data from DOE’s National Laboratories estimate that annual power outages cost Americans $44 billion. The department stated that this latest order will help reduce blackout risks not only in New England but also across regions such as the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas by prioritizing reliable electricity supply.
The current emergency order will remain valid until 11:59 PM ET on February 14, 2026. These actions align with President Trump’s Executive Order declaring a national energy emergency, aiming to ensure sufficient power generation capacity and minimize blackout risks.
