U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order to address potential energy shortfalls in the Mid-Atlantic region. The directive requires PJM Interconnection, working with Constellation Energy, to keep Units 3 and 4 at the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania operational. The move aims to reduce the risk of power outages by ensuring sufficient electricity generation capacity.
“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.”
The Department of Energy’s Grid Reliability Evaluation warns that if reliable power sources continue to be retired without adequate replacements, power outages could increase significantly by 2030.
Secretary Wright had previously ordered these two units at Eddystone Generating Station to remain online past their scheduled retirement date on May 30, 2025. Over the past three months, these units have contributed to regional energy security, providing electricity during heat waves in June and July when demand spiked.
The conditions prompting this action remain ongoing. The current order will be effective from August 28 through November 26, 2025.
PJM Interconnection has expressed concerns about resource adequacy for several years. In a February 2023 report, PJM noted growing risks due to mismatches between retiring resources, increasing load growth, and delays in bringing new generation online. A December 2024 filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission indicated substantial increases in expected load additions and escalating concerns over resource adequacy (https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118040/witnesses/HHRG-119-IF03-Wstate-AsthanaM-20250325.pdf). During a March 2025 congressional hearing, PJM’s President & CEO testified about a “growing resource adequacy concern” affecting much of the country.
