The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has declared an emergency order authorizing the deployment of backup generation resources to mitigate blackouts in Texas during Winter Storm Fern.

Issued pursuant to Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, the order empowers the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to deploy backup generation at critical facilities such as data centers. The action follows a letter sent by Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday to grid operators requesting readiness for potential blackouts.

DOE estimates more than 35 gigawatts of unused backup generation remains available nationwide. The order aims to address the extreme temperatures and storm damage in Texas while reducing costs for American households during the winter storm.

On day one, President Trump declared a national energy emergency following the Biden administration’s energy subtraction agenda, which had left the grid increasingly vulnerable to blackouts. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) warns that winter electricity demand is rising at the fastest rate in recent years and that premature forced closures of reliable power sources such as coal and natural gas plants have placed households at risk.

According to DOE National Laboratories data, power outages cost Americans $44 billion annually. The emergency order underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring affordable, reliable, and secure electricity for the public.

The order is effective from January 24 through January 27, 2026.

“The Trump administration is committed to unleashing all available power generation needed to keep Americans safe during Winter Storm Fern,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated.

Wright also noted that the previous administration had left the nation on track to lose significant baseload power, but the current administration is taking steps to deploy the existing 35 gigawatts of untapped backup capacity.

As of Tuesday afternoon, over 21,000 Texas Oncor customers are without power, with the majority in East Texas. The company is working to restore service by addressing tree-related issues that could cause power line failures due to ice accumulation.

Officials urge residents to monitor weather alerts and prepare emergency kits for potential extended outages.