The United States government has issued an official emergency order aimed at averting widespread power outages across the Mid-Atlantic region, where the regional electricity grid supplies roughly 67 million people.

Announced by the U.S. Department of Energy, the directive instructs PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, to activate specified power generation units and utilize backup electricity resources if necessary to sustain grid stability. The emergency order is effective from Tuesday, October 13, through Friday, October 16, responding to growing pressures from heightened electricity demand, routine power plant maintenance, and scheduled transmission outages.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized that the intervention ensures additional generation capacity remains accessible to homes and businesses throughout the multi-state network. Under the directive, PJM is authorized to deploy backup generators as a last resort before or during its highest-level Energy Emergency Alert, while collaborating with transmission owners and local distribution companies to execute necessary protective measures.

The Department of Energy noted that over 35 gigawatts of unused backup generation capacity remain available nationwide to bolster supply during critical periods. PJM’s emergency application, submitted on October 11, highlights ongoing structural strains on the U.S. power grid driven by surging electricity consumption, particularly from expanding data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure operating across its coverage area spanning 13 states and the District of Columbia.