Heat Domes and Surging Grid Demand Threaten US Power Grids with Blackouts
SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, JUN 25 – The Department of Energy authorized Duke Energy Carolinas to run power plants at full capacity to prevent blackouts amid surging electricity demand caused by extreme heat and cyberthreat concerns.
- The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order on June 24–25, 2025, directing Duke Energy Carolinas to maximize power generation in the Southeast to prevent blackouts.
- This action responds to extreme heat waves causing surging electricity demand nationwide, compounded by grid risks previously identified by NERC's 2024 and 2025 reports.
- The heat dome phenomenon drives record temperatures across two-thirds of the U.S., straining power systems and prompting outages in states like Pennsylvania and Missouri, where at least one heat-related death occurred.
- NERC forecasts a 10 GW increase in peak demand this summer despite added solar and battery resources, while Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized using all tools to maintain reliable and secure energy.
- The emergency order aims to ensure stable power delivery during peak demand, suggesting ongoing grid vulnerability and the need for heightened energy management amid climate-driven challenges.
23 Articles
23 Articles
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by Susan Duclos, All News Pipeline: President Trump’s Department of Energy has once again issued an emergency order, the second in a months time, to reduce the risk of blackouts across South Eastern states, as summer heat is straining an already “fragile” power grid. In late May, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, issued an order to […]
DOE Issues Emergency Order to Prevent Blackouts in Southeast
The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an emergency order authorizing Duke Energy to operate at maximum capacity, even exceeding certain emission levels, to reduce the risk of potential blackouts during a heat wave in the Southeast United States, the agency stated in a June 24 announcement. According to a June 25 alert issued by the National Weather Service, valid through Friday, “extremely dangerous heat persists across the Midwest and East …
Extreme Heat Puts Strain on Power Grids in Major Cities
For huge sections of the East Coast, it’s been a sweltering start to summer with more than 40 cities recording record highs and 150 million people under heat alerts from Maine to Texas. In South Carolina, 20 people were evaluated and a dozen sent to the hospital while swimming in water that was struck by lightning. NBC’s Sam Brock reports and TODAY’s Al Roker tracks the latest forecast.
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