Power Grid Sizzles Under Blistering Heat Wave Across 17 States
A southwestern heat wave ignited a grid emergency Sunday prompting the Department of Energy to act.
Paris Apodaca · Jul 27, 2026 · 2 min read
A southwestern heat wave ignited a grid emergency Sunday prompting the Department of Energy to act.
The Department of Energy issued an emergency order Sunday prompting South West Power Pool Inc. (SPP) to gather backup generation units and backup power to prevent blackouts across 17 states caused by extreme heat, according to the department’s press release.
The department determined “that a statutory emergency exists” due to “a sudden increase in demand, a shortage of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the generation and transmission of electric energy, and other causes.”
“The Trump Administration is tapping into an abundant supply of unused backup generation to maintain affordable, reliable, and secure power for hardworking American families and businesses,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said via the press release.
“The previous administration’s energy subtraction policies weakened the grid, leaving Americans more vulnerable during emergency events,” Wright added. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are reversing those failures and using every available tool to ensure Americans have continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes.”
The DOE, the White House press room and SPP each did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.
The DOE’s Order 202-26037, authorizes Southwest Power Pool to use specific generation units and backup generation resources to operate to maintain grid reliability.
“SPP remained under a Conservative Operations Advisory on July 20, 2026, then extended the Conservative Operations Advisory on July 21 and again July 22, July 23, and July 24, due to “potential forecast uncertainty including higher than normal loads and outages, seasonally hot temperatures, and the potential for lower wind and solar,” the order reads.
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