Grids COLLAPSE Risk–Millions Dark!

America’s power grids teeter on the brink of collapse under Winter Storm Fern, exposing years of failed energy policies that left families in the dark during deadly cold.

Story Snapshot

PJM Interconnection forecasts record-breaking winter peaks over 148,000 MW for seven straight days through February 1, 2026, straining 13 states and DC.
DOE issues emergency orders unleashing maximum generator output and data center backups in PJM, ERCOT, and ISO New England to prevent blackouts.
Nearly 1 million homes face outages amid frigid single-digit temperatures, echoing ERCOT’s 2021 disaster under lax oversight.
Demand surges 2.5% from data centers and AI outpace grid capacity growth, per NERC’s elevated risk warnings.

Storm Fern Pushes Grids to Record Limits

Winter Storm Fern delivers extreme cold with temperatures dropping to single digits and below zero across PJM’s 13-state region. PJM Interconnection forecasts peak demand exceeding 130,000 MW for seven consecutive days through February 1, 2026. This marks the first time such prolonged highs threaten the grid. Actual demand hit 137,000 MW on January 26, below the 147,000 MW prediction due to slightly warmer conditions and school closures. Outages reach 20,000 MW, leaving nearly 1 million homes without power in local areas.

DOE Emergency Measures Activate Nationwide

The U.S. Department of Energy issues 202(c) emergency orders starting January 22 for ERCOT in Texas, extending to PJM and ISO New England. These waivers allow maximum generator output and data center backup use despite normal permit limits. Energy Secretary Wright stresses unleashing all available power for public safety. PJM activates pre-emergency demand response in BGE, Pepco, and Dominion territories on January 25 to preserve generators. ERCOT projects 84,000 MW peaks, topping its February 2025 record.

Background Reveals Years of Vulnerability

NERC’s 2025-2026 Winter Reliability Assessment, released November 18, 2025, flags elevated risks from demand growth outpacing capacity. U.S. grids see a 20.2 GW or 2.5% demand surge since last winter, driven by electrification, data centers, and AI loads. Resources expand by 9,447 MW, mostly demand response and batteries, but generation rises only 1,335 MW. Shifting mixes favor intermittent solar and batteries over reliable sources, worsening cold snaps. Past events like ERCOT’s 2021 mass blackouts highlight recurring threats from extreme weather and inadequate planning.

Forecast Peaks Escalate Risks Through February

PJM prepares for escalating forecasts: 144,400 MW on January 28, 145,300 MW on January 29, 148,000 MW on January 30, and 133,000 MW on January 31. MISO issues brief alerts from outages but keeps demand below peaks. Real-time prices soar as operators manage constraints. PJM states sufficient resources exist but implements DOE orders precautionarily to set potential all-time winter peaks. Demand outpaces forecasts by 3% in New England and New York, shrinking reserves further.

Impacts Hit Families Hardest

Nearly 1 million homes suffer outages, primarily in Mid-Atlantic, Texas, and Northeast regions, posing life-threatening risks in sub-zero cold. Residents face high energy costs and potential load sheds if peaks materialize. Data centers and industrials rely on backups, prioritizing corporate loads over families in some views. Economic fallout includes soaring real-time prices; socially, blackouts endanger vulnerable households. Politically, this tests President Trump’s DOE amid NERC warnings of thermal outages and low intermittent output in cold.

Expert Warnings Demand Action

PJM notes precautions preserve generators for possible records. NERC cites demand growth outpacing capacity, thermal outages, and unreliable wind in cold as key threats. Utility Dive reports orders as precautionary despite adequate supplies, but records loom large. GridBeyond analysis shows resource growth offset by wind shortfalls, heightening ERCOT freeze risks. Optimists point to battery additions; pessimists warn shrinking grid slack from tech booms threatens everyday Americans most.