The U.S. Department of Energy issues an emergency order to stabilize the Southwest Power Pool grid during extreme heat.
The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order on Sunday to maintain electricity flow across 17 states, including Oklahoma and Nebraska, as extreme heat drives up power demand. The order, authorized by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, allows the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) to utilize backup power sources to avoid declaring a formal energy emergency. This order was issued at the request of the Southwest Power Pool to manage the strain caused by triple-digit temperatures, which increase demand for cooling systems. The Southwest Power Pool flagged an emergency situation on July 19, warning of high peak usage during periods when wind energy outputs are low. While the order provides the grid operator with additional flexibility, it does not currently signal rolling blackouts. Local utilities, such as OPPD, reported that their generation fleets are currently meeting customer demands despite the high temperatures. The order is currently scheduled to remain in place through August 3.