U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order to address concerns about potential energy shortages in the Mid-Atlantic region. The directive requires PJM Interconnection, working with Constellation Energy, to keep Units 3 and 4 of the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania operational. This action is intended to reduce the risk of electricity generation shortfalls that could result in power outages.
“With unprecedented energy demand and resource retirements outpacing new generation additions, the country is facing an energy emergency. Today’s order proves that the Trump Administration is dedicated to confronting this critical issue,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “This administration considers power outages and soaring energy costs to be unacceptable.”
A recent evaluation by the Department of Energy suggests that if reliable power sources continue to be retired without sufficient replacements, power outages could become much more frequent by 2030.
Secretary Wright had previously ordered the Eddystone units to remain online past their planned retirement date on May 30, 2025. Over the last three months, these units have contributed to improved energy security for PJM, particularly during heat waves in June and July when they were called upon to generate electricity.
The conditions that led to the initial emergency order are still present. The new order will be effective from August 28 through November 26, 2025.
PJM has raised concerns about resource adequacy for several years. In a February 2023 report, PJM warned about increasing risks related to mismatches between retiring resources, growing demand, and delays in bringing new generation online.
In December 2024, PJM filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), stating that preliminary analysis shows significant increases in load additions and escalating concerns over resource adequacy at a rapid pace (https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118040/witnesses/HHRG-119-IF03-Wstate-AsthanaM-20250325.pdf).
During a March 2025 hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Manu Asthana, President and CEO of PJM Interconnection, testified about “a growing resource adequacy concern . . . impacting a significant part of our country.”
