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Heatwave Sparks PJM Emergency, DOE Orders Curtailments

5/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

PJM Interconnection LLC declared an emergency as a heatwave drove a surge in electricity demand.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an order letting PJM deploy generation and ask utilities to curtail loads for days starting May 18, under 5,800 MW of reserves and over 40 GW of plants offline.
Wholesale prices rose to $136.53/MWh in Q1 2026, a 76 % increase, prompting PJM to activate demand-response customers in BGE, Dominion and PEPCO service areas.

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Story summary

PJM Interconnection LLC declared an emergency as a heatwave drove a surge in electricity demand.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an order letting PJM deploy generation and ask utilities to curtail loads for days starting May 18, under 5,800 MW of reserves and over 40 GW of plants offline.
Wholesale prices rose to $136.53/MWh in Q1 2026, a 76 % increase, prompting PJM to activate demand-response customers in BGE, Dominion and PEPCO service areas.