Trump administration issues emergency order for Duke Energy Carolinas during extreme heat
In brief
- Department of Energy issued emergency order No. 202-25-5 on June 24, 2025, under Federal Power Act Section 202(c)
- Duke Energy Carolinas authorized to operate generating units at maximum output and exceed air pollution limits
- North and South Carolina temperatures reached or exceeded 100°F during the emergency period
- Emergency order prioritized grid reliability during extreme heat event
The Emergency Order
Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), was the sole utility named in the order. The emergency authorization came as temperatures across North and South Carolina reached or exceeded 100°F, creating peak demand pressure on the regional grid.
Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act gives the DOE authority to order temporary measures when grid reliability is at immediate risk. The June emergency order was the latest in a series of DOE emergency measures during Trump's presidency.
Context: The National Energy Emergency
President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency on January 20, 2025, his first day in office. That executive order was designed to bolster domestic energy production and improve grid reliability in response to what the administration characterized as threats to energy security.
In practice, that has meant leaning heavily on existing fossil fuel generation capacity during moments of peak demand. The June emergency order reflected this operational approach during an acute supply-demand imbalance.
Environmental and Regulatory Considerations
The suspension of air pollution limits, even temporarily, has drawn scrutiny from environmental advocates and state regulators. Balancing grid stability against environmental standards remains a contentious issue in energy policy, particularly when emergency orders bypass normal regulatory frameworks.
The trade-off between immediate reliability and long-term air quality standards reflects broader tensions in the energy sector as utilities manage extreme weather events under existing infrastructure constraints.
