DOE Orders Data Centers to Deploy Backup Generators Amid Mid-Atlantic Heat Wave

Energy Secretary Chris Wright ordered PJM to require mid-Atlantic data centers to run diesel or natural-gas backup generators during the heat wave, freeing grid capacity for residential air-conditioning.

New York Times

PJM serves 13 states and roughly 67 million people, including the nation’s largest data-center cluster in Virginia. A heat dome has raised heat-index values to 110-112 °F. Rapid data-center growth has added demand, straining the system.

Politico

Thursday demand may reach 166 GW, surpassing the 165 GW 2006 record, while reserves fell from 22 GW to about 5 GW, above the 3.2 GW minimum. Market-clearing price spiked to $28,000/MWh for idle plants, up from $100/MWh. DOE reports >35 GW backup generation; Virginia has >8,000 diesel generators, 3,790 added in 2025. Prince William County has 33 data centers, 31 planned, within 500 ft of homes or schools.

Politico

Secretary Chris Wright called the order “non-negotiable” to keep power affordable, reliable and secure, calling it a reversal of failures. PJM’s Daniel Lockwood said the grid has sufficient generation but demand far exceeds the May reliability assessment. A DOE spokesperson said the order mirrors actions taken during prior winter storms and a May heat wave, without disclosing backup capacity.

Politico

Climate scientist Kim Cobb warned the scenario “exactly” reflects warming world, where temperature rises trigger heat extremes. Elena Schlossberg, grassroots organizer in Prince William County, said residents face choice between blackouts and diesel fumes, calling it “nothing says life, liberty and pursuit of happiness like breathing in diesel fumes.” Sierra Club’s Ann Bennett noted diesel permits and urged battery storage to curb emissions.

Politico

• “Maintaining affordable, reliable, and secure power in the PJM service territory is nonnegotiable,” — Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary

New York Times

• “This is exactly what we expect in a warming world,” — Kim Cobb, climate scientist, Brown University

Politico

• “It’s scary. It worries everyone when you see those kind of numbers,” — Abe Silverman, former New Jersey utility regulator

Politico

• “Nothing says life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness like breathing in diesel fumes,” — Elena Schlossberg, grassroots organizer, Prince William County

Politico

PJM’s forecast cites a summer demand of 156 GW and an “unlikely but plausible” scenario up to 169 GW, while Reuters reports a projected peak of 166 GW, surpassing the 165 GW 2006 record. The precise peak remains uncertain.

Politico

The heat dome is expected to linger through July 4 weekend, prompting PJM to keep generators on standby, consider demand-response measures. Groups will monitor and push for battery storage to curb diesel-generator use.

New York Times