The federal government has issued a special emergency order to keep the nation’s power grid operating ahead of extreme heat over the holiday weekend. PJM, the nation’s largest power grid operator, asked the U.S. Department of Energy for the emergency order, citing an imminent electric reliability emergency that will threaten transmission reliability.
Order Details
Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed the order, allowing PJM to require data centers and other major energy users to switch to backup generators. The order is in effect until Friday at 11:59 p.m. EDT. PJM serves the Mid-Atlantic and some Midwestern states, including parts of North Carolina served by Dominion Energy.
Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks said the utility’s units in the Carolinas are not part of PJM and that Duke Energy expects to meet energy demand during the extreme heat. Brooks advised customers to adjust their thermostat to the highest comfortable setting and use ceiling fans to feel cooler.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
