U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has mandated that Units 3 and 4 of the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania remain operational until November 26, 2025. This emergency order aims to address escalating reliability concerns within the Mid-Atlantic energy grid, as the region faces risks of power shortages.
The directive, issued in coordination with PJM Interconnection and Constellation Energy, builds on earlier measures taken on May 30, 2025, which initially allowed the units to extend their operational lifespan beyond planned retirement dates. Officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) noted that maintaining these units has already proven essential. During the heat waves in June and July, PJM relied on them to bolster generation capacity, helping to stabilize the grid amid significant demand spikes.
Persistent Reliability Risks
The challenges prompting the May order have not been alleviated. The DOE’s Grid Reliability Evaluation warns that if the removal of reliable power sources continues at the current pace, the risk of power outages could increase by as much as 100 times by 2030. PJM, which oversees electricity for over 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia, has consistently expressed concerns regarding resource adequacy.
In a February 2023 report, PJM highlighted the increasing reliability risks due to accelerated plant retirements, soaring energy demand, and the slow development of new generation facilities. A filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in December 2024 also noted substantial increases in load growth, with PJM stating that concerns about resource adequacy are escalating rapidly. This sentiment was echoed during a March 2025 hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where PJM’s President and CEO testified about the significant impact of growing resource adequacy concerns across a large part of the country.
Balancing Energy Security and Resource Transition
The latest emergency order highlights the ongoing challenge faced by U.S. energy policy: how to transition to new energy technologies while ensuring the reliability of existing power systems. While the retirement of aging fossil fuel plants has been a longstanding objective, officials from both PJM and the DOE caution that an excessive and rapid capacity reduction could leave millions vulnerable to power interruptions.
The Eddystone Generating Station, located near Philadelphia, has emerged as a critical site in this debate. With electricity demand rising and extreme weather events increasingly stressing the grid, the decision to keep Units 3 and 4 operational reflects the administration’s commitment to securing short-term energy stability as longer-term solutions evolve.
The emergency order will stay in effect until November 26, 2025, with the DOE indicating that it will continue to monitor regional grid conditions to assess the need for potential extensions or additional actions.
