In response to PJM Interconnection (PJM) concerns about resource adequacy, the U.S. Department of Energy has issued an emergency order keeping generating units at Eddystone operating past retirement.
The order, issued under section 202(c) of the Federal Powers Act, directs PJM to continue operating specified generation units at the Eddystone, Pennsylvania Generation Station, past their planned retirement date of May 31. The order comes on the heels of a statement from PJM voicing concerns over its system and a “growing resource adequacy” concern stemming from load growth, in the face of planned unit retirement and other factors.
“Maintaining access to affordable, reliable, and secure power is always our top priority, particularly during the summer months when electricity demand reaches its peak,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “Americans should never be left wondering whether they will be able to turn on their lights or air conditioning. This emergency order helps keep money in consumers’ pockets while keeping their homes and businesses fully powered. Energy shortfalls or unnecessary price increases are not options in this Administration.”
The emergency order requires PJM to operate Units 3 and 4 at Eddystone past their retirement dates and to work in coordination with Constellation Energy to coordinate their operation. PJM announced it faced resource adequacy concerns in its February 2023 assessment, and that retirements, when combined with increased demand, could create resource adequacy concerns as well as reliability risks.