The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) has urged power grid operators to prepare backup power sources in response to Winter Storm Fern, which could cause widespread outages due to severe weather conditions.
• Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the situation as a "national energy emergency" and indicated plans to utilize section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to access backup power.
• The storm is expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and ice, affecting millions and creating significant challenges for power systems.
• The DOE estimates more than 35 gigawatts of unused backup power, enough to supply tens of millions of homes, exists and could help prevent blackouts.
• Grid operators have been instructed to ready backup generators at facilities like data centers if electricity demand rises dangerously.
• While some support using these backup sources, critics express concerns about the environmental impact and potential emissions from extended use of diesel generators.
• The DOE's strategy emphasizes that these measures are supplementary to existing energy supplies and are not a substitute for proper grid maintenance.
The DOE's actions aim to ensure grid reliability during extreme weather, while raising discussions about energy policies and emergency preparedness.
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