Headline: "U.S. Energy Secretary Acts Swiftly to Stabilize Power Grids Amid Winter Storm Fern"

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright took swift action over the past few days to protect power grids battered by Winter Storm Fern. On January 26, 2026, the Department of Energy announced that Secretary Wright issued two emergency orders to deploy backup generation in the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas regions. These measures aim to stabilize the grid, save lives, and lower energy costs for millions amid the storm's fury, according to the Department of Energy's official release. Earlier, on January 22, Wright warned grid operators nationwide to stay in close contact with the department and prepare unused backup generators at data centers and major facilities. The Department of Energy reports that more than 35 gigawatts of such generation sits idle across the country, ready to prevent blackouts. "We have identified more than 35 gigawatts 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," Wright stated in the announcement. He emphasized the department's commitment to averting outages and cutting costs for Americans. The very same day, January 26, Wright issued another emergency order specifically for New York and surrounding areas. This directive strengthens the grid there following the storm's impact, as detailed in the department's update. These rapid responses highlight Wright's focus on reliability during extreme weather. Meanwhile, debate simmers over radiation regulations tied to energy policy. Former Assistant Secretary Katy Huff argued in a Scientific American op-ed, covered by Nuclear News on January 26, that loosening Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules without solid new evidence could risk public health, especially for women and children. She urges more research before changes based on a 2025 executive order. Listeners, thank you for tuning in. Please subscribe for more updates. 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.