The U.S. Department of Energy has extended an emergency order for New England in anticipation of a second major winter storm within a week. The decision, announced from Washington, is aimed at stabilizing the region’s electricity grid and preventing blackouts as below-freezing temperatures are forecasted to continue into early next week.
The extension, authorized under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, allows ISO New England Inc. (ISO-NE) to operate certain power resources beyond restrictions set by environmental permits or state laws. This move follows a request from ISO-NE due to ongoing emergency conditions that are expected to last beyond the original order’s timeframe. The initial emergency order was issued on January 25, 2026.
“This winter storm demonstrates why the Trump Administration continues to reverse the dangerous energy subtraction agenda of the previous administration,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Those policies weakened the grid and left Americans more vulnerable to blackouts and higher electricity prices. We are doing everything in our power to reverse those reckless decisions. The Trump Administration is committed to using every available tool, and unleashing all available power generation, to keep the lights on and Americans safe.”
President Trump declared a national energy emergency at the start of his term in response to concerns about grid vulnerability attributed to previous policy decisions regarding energy generation sources. According to findings from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), demand for electricity during winter months is increasing rapidly while closures of coal and natural gas plants have heightened risks for outages across several regions during severe weather events.
Annual losses caused by power outages amount to $44 billion for Americans, based on data provided by DOE’s National Laboratories. The current order aims not only to reduce outages in New England but also highlights efforts by the administration intended to provide affordable and reliable electricity across other regions such as the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas.
The extended emergency order will remain effective until 11:59 PM ET on February 14, 2026.
These actions follow President Trump’s Executive Order declaring a National Energy Emergency with goals centered on maintaining adequate generation capacity and minimizing blackout risks.
