Energy Secretary Acts Swiftly to Protect Power Grids Amid Winter Storm Fern

Energy Secretary Chris Wright took swift action over the past few days to protect power grids battered by Winter Storm Fern. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that on January 26, 2026, Secretary Wright issued two emergency orders to deploy backup generation in the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas, aiming to stabilize the grid, save lives, and lower costs amid freezing temperatures and blackouts. The department's news release details how these orders direct backup power from data centers and major facilities to ease strain on strained systems. In New York and surrounding areas, Secretary Wright signed another emergency order to mitigate blackouts, as stated in the Energy Department's announcement on the same day. This move strengthens the grid by freeing up electricity for households, hospitals, and essential services. Bloomberg reports that the order authorizes PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. grid operator serving over 67 million people from Chicago to Virginia, to divert power destined for data centers to critical customers and prevent rolling blackouts. Two units of Duke Energy Corporation received similar authorization. The Energy Department also notes Secretary Wright issued orders to keep the New England and Texas grids stable during the storm. In a letter to grid operators, he urged them to maintain communication with the department and prepare backup resources at data centers. These steps come as arctic cold snaps drive record natural gas demand, with U.S. imports from Canada hitting highs around 9.5 billion cubic feet on January 26, according to IIR Energy analysis. Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson is set to speak at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event on February 3, 2026, focusing on innovation in critical minerals, as outlined in the event agenda. These efforts highlight the department's push for energy dominance under President Trump's administration. Thank you for tuning in, listeners, and remember to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.