The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has declared an emergency order to deploy backup generation resources in order to mitigate blackouts across Texas during Winter Storm Fern.
The order, issued pursuant to Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, authorizes the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to deploy backup generation at data centers and other critical facilities. The action follows a letter sent by Energy Secretary Chris Wright Thursday to grid operators requesting preparedness for potential blackouts.
According to the DOE, over 35 gigawatts (GW) of unused backup generation remains available nationwide. The order aims to assist ERCOT in addressing extreme temperatures and storm damage while reducing costs for Americans during the winter storm.
On day one, President Trump declared a national energy emergency, citing that the Biden administration’s policies had left the grid increasingly vulnerable to blackouts. Reports indicate that winter electricity demand is rising at the fastest rate in recent years, with premature forced closures of reliable generation sources such as coal and natural gas plants leaving families exposed to power outages.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) 2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment warns of elevated risks of blackouts across the continental United States during extreme weather events. Power outages cost Americans $44 billion annually, according to DOE National Laboratories data.
“This emergency order will help mitigate power outages in Texas and highlights the commonsense policies of the Trump Administration to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable and secure electricity,” the DOE stated. The order is effective from January 24 through January 27, 2026. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized: “The Trump administration is committed to unleashing all available power generation needed to keep Americans safe during Winter Storm Fern.”
Wright added: “Unfortunately, the last administration had the nation on track to lose significant amounts of baseload power, but we are doing everything in our power to reverse those reckless decisions. The Trump administration will continue taking action to ensure that the 35 GW of untapped backup generation can be deployed as needed during Winter Storm Fern and in the future.”
As of Sunday, nearly 96,000 homes and businesses across Texas were without power, with East Texas hit hardest—Nacogdoches, Cherokee, and Shelby counties reporting tens of thousands affected. In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, about 3,000 customers lost power, including over 700 in Tarrant County, nearly 900 in Dallas County, and a little over 100 in Collin County.
Oncor reported that more than 21,000 customers are without power as of 2 p.m., with the majority in East Texas south of Tyler. Ahead of the storm, Oncor activated its storm-readiness operations to increase response teams and crews. The company warned that ice-coated branches and limbs can snap easily under freezing conditions, potentially causing widespread outages. Even a half-inch of ice can add up to 500 pounds of weight to power lines.
As crews work to restore power in the DFW area, officials urge customers to monitor weather alerts and potential disruptions. Residents are encouraged to sign up for MyOncor alerts by texting REG to 66267 for personalized outage notifications and to prepare emergency kits including blankets, bottled water, flashlights, and other essentials.
The wintry mix is expected to taper off Sunday, with extreme cold lasting through Tuesday, continuing the threat of freezing across North Texas.