The Department of Energy just made a rare move, allowing Duke Energy to bypass emission standards to combat a severe heat wave threatening power shortages across the Southeast.
At a Glance
- The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order to prevent power blackouts amid a severe heatwave in the Southeast.
- The order allows Duke Energy to operate its power plants at maximum capacity in the Carolinas, temporarily waiving certain air pollution limits.
- The action was taken under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to ensure grid stability.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the move aligns with the Trump administration’s focus on maintaining a reliable and secure energy system.
Emergency Order to Secure Power Grid
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a rare emergency order to safeguard the power grid in the Southeast as a brutal heatwave pushes electricity demand to record levels. The directive, issued by Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, temporarily allows utility giant Duke Energy to operate some of its power plants in the Carolinas at maximum capacity, even if it means exceeding certain environmental emission limits.
The move was made under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, a provision that allows the secretary to take emergency measures to ensure the reliability of the nation’s power supply. The order is a direct response to warnings from grid operators about potential power shortages and rolling blackouts due to the extreme heat.
Prioritizing Reliability Over Regulations
The emergency order underscores the difficult trade-offs governments face when extreme weather collides with environmental regulations. By temporarily waiving pollution limits, the DOE is prioritizing the immediate need to keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses over strict adherence to environmental standards.
“As electricity demand reaches its peak, Americans should not be forced to wonder if their power grid can support their homes and businesses,” Secretary Wright said in a statement published on the Department of Energy’s website. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy will use all tools available to maintain a reliable, affordable, and secure energy system for the American people.”
A Glimpse into a Recurring Challenge
This federal intervention highlights the increasing vulnerability of regional power grids to extreme weather events. As reported by Bloomberg, grid planners have repeatedly warned that the pace of retiring traditional power plants (like coal and natural gas) is outstripping the development of reliable new energy sources, creating a precarious supply-demand balance during periods of peak use.
The emergency order for Duke Energy is temporary, lasting only through the peak of the heatwave. However, it serves as a powerful reminder of the immense challenge of ensuring grid stability while also pursuing long-term environmental goals in an era of increasingly frequent and intense weather events.
