U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued an emergency order directing the PJM Interconnection to dispatch specified units and to order their operation as needed to maintain reliability and authorizes PJM to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort before declaring an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3 or during an EEA 3.
The order aims to mitigate blackout risks in the mid-Atlantic ahead of a period of elevated demand, a high rate of planned generator outages during the autumn maintenance season, and numerous planned transmission outages.
PJM is authorized to call upon its Transmission Owners and Electric Distribution Companies to implement the order as needed, DOE said.
The order, which was issued pursuant to an application from PJM submitted on October 11, 2026, is effective October 13, 2026, through October 16, 2026.
PJM Actions
PJM on Oct. 12 said it issued a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert for Oct. 13 ahead of expected tight system conditions caused by unusually warm fall weather and planned equipment outages required for maintenance and construction.
This alert does not require any action from customers.
PJM also has a Capacity Advisory in place for Oct. 12–14 and issued a Maintenance Outage Recall for Oct. 14, in addition to an emergency order received by the DOE.
A Maximum Generation Alert notifies transmission and generation owners, who then determine if any equipment maintenance or testing may be deferred or canceled. By deferring such actions, units and transmission lines stay operational to serve demand. The alert also notifies neighboring grid operators that exports from PJM may be curtailed, a procedural step that allows them to plan accordingly.
PJM issues a Maximum Generation Alert at the same time as a Load Management Alert, which gives advance notice that such action may be declared, including Pre-Emergency and Emergency Demand Response. Demand Response programs pay customers in advance who sign up to reduce electricity use during stressed grid conditions.
Managing Planned Shoulder Season Outages
PJM is currently in outage season. Typically, both transmission and generation facilities perform maintenance and construction from mid-September through early December, so they are fully available to serve loads during peak winter periods.
PJM has recalled or canceled transmission and generation outages to the extent possible. This includes an Oct. 11 recall of all active generation maintenance outage tickets in the region PJM serves effective noon on Oct. 14.
Generation outages are expected to be approximately 62,000 MW through the affected period, in addition to key transmission outages both for maintenance and to allow for major transmission construction projects.
Issued up to five days in advance, a Capacity Advisory anticipates PJM actions such as:
- Recalling or rescheduling of generation and/or transmission maintenance outages
- Notifying neighboring grids to prepare for decreased imports from PJM
- Alerting PJM Members to update their information about generator availability, fuel supply concerns, environmental constraints and more
Emergency procedures took place as above-normal temperatures are forecast across much of the PJM region.
As of 4 p.m. Monday, forecasted electricity demand, or load, for the affected period was:
- Monday – 103,125 MW
- Tuesday – 112,447 MW
- Wednesday – 112,282 MW
These numbers are subject to change and will be updated, PJM said on Oct. 12.
