On October 12, 2026, the Secretary of Energy determined a statutory emergency exists in the PJM Region and issued Order No. 202-26-50 under Federal Power Act section 202(c), effective October 13 through October 16, 2026.
The order directs PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to dispatch Specified Resources listed in Exhibit A to its October 11, 2026 application only as needed to maintain reliability and authorizes PJM to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort before or during an Energy Emergency Alert 3. PJM is authorized to call upon its Transmission Owners and Electric Distribution Companies to implement the order.
Who this affects
- For exporters: Specified Resources in Exhibit A and any additional units PJM identifies by prompt notice to DOE may be dispatched only as needed to maintain reliability, subject to daily notification of use.
- For investors: The order authorizes operation of Specified Resources and backup generation notwithstanding certain operating limits for the four-day period, with rate recovery available pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 824a(c).
- For counsel/compliance: Operations must comply with applicable environmental monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements to the maximum extent practicable; daily notifications of designated resources go to AskCR@hq.doe.gov, and tariff filings with FERC may be required.
- For policymakers: The Secretary determined an emergency due to sudden increase in demand or shortage of electric energy or generation/transmission facilities in the PJM Region, which includes all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The read
The order continues the pattern of short-duration FPA section 202(c) authorizations for PJM that permit dispatch of units facing operating limits and deployment of backup generation at large loads as a last resort before firm load interruption. PJM’s application cited forecasted demand at or around 111,500 MW (or higher) on October 13, 2026, anticipated generation outages reaching 61,591 MW, a position within 900 MW of reserve margin on October 14, 2026, a Capacity Advisory for October 12–14, 2026, and constraints including north-to-south transfers on the Conastone–Peach Bottom 5012 500 kV facility and seams with MISO.
What was the action?
The Secretary of Energy issued Order No. 202-26-50 on October 12, 2026, pursuant to FPA section 202(c) and section 301(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act, determining that a statutory emergency exists and directing PJM and specified and backup generation resources to comply. From October 13, 2026, PJM is directed to dispatch Specified Resources (those in Exhibit A to the application, subject to updates under paragraph G) only as needed to maintain reliability when PJM determines such generation is necessary. PJM is authorized to direct backup generation resources—whether auxiliary, standby, directly-connected, battery storage, or other, and whether synchronized or not—to operate as a last resort before declaring an EEA 3 or during an EEA 3, and to call upon Transmission Owners and Electric Distribution Companies as needed. The order is not applicable to backup generation serving critical reliability or backup needs including defense, homeland security, first responder, air traffic control, hospital, 911 call center, water treatment or wastewater, natural gas pipeline, or natural gas gathering facilities.
What’s the penalty / scope, and how is it set?
No civil penalty is assessed. The order authorizes limited operation of Specified Resources and backup generation from October 13 through October 16, 2026 (except for reporting under paragraph E and compliance obligations under paragraph F), limited to the times and parameters determined by PJM for maintaining grid reliability and consistent to the maximum extent practicable with applicable environmental law. PJM must provide daily notification to DOE reporting each Specified Resource and backup generation resource designated to use the allowance and operated in reliance on it. Additional units may be designated Specified Resources upon prompt written notice to DOE, subject to DOE disapproval. Renewal, if needed, must be requested before the order expires. Operations after expiration must comply with applicable state, local, or Federal law; backup generation subject to the order is not a capacity resource.
Who else is exposed?
Specified Resources are those generating units set forth in Exhibit A to PJM’s October 11, 2026 application (Order No. 202-26-50 Resource List), subject to updates. Backup generation resources at large loads, including data centers and other industrial and commercial sites, may be directed to operate under the stated conditions. Transmission Owners and Electric Distribution Companies may be called upon to implement the order. The record identifies acute issues in the BGE, PEPCO, and Dominion zones and transfer constraints involving MISO seams.
What happens next
The order is effective October 13 through October 16, 2026. PJM must submit daily notifications of resources operated under the allowances and provide additional information on environmental impacts as requested by DOE. Affected parties are directed to file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission any tariff, tariff revisions, or waivers necessary to effectuate the order. Renewal must be requested before expiration if needed. Long-tail keywords: DOE Order No. 202-26-50 PJM, Federal Power Act section 202(c) emergency order October 2026, PJM specified resources backup generation, PJM Capacity Advisory October 12-14 2026, PJM 111500 MW demand forecast October 13 2026, PJM EEA 3 backup generation authorization, DOE AskCR@hq.doe.gov daily notification PJM.