DOE extends Duke Energy output waiver due to frigid temps

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has granted an extension to an emergency order granted to Duke Energy, allowing the company to operate at maximum output levels due to extreme cold. Following last weekend’s winter storm, on Jan. 26, Duke Energy submitted a request under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to Secretary Chris Wright of the US Department of Energy. This order has been extended through 12pm on Feb. 3.

“In light of the extreme cold, Duke Energy is ensuring that every tool is available to protect energy reliability for our customers, which includes taking this precautionary step of requesting the 202 (c) order from the DOE.” Riley Cook, spokesman for Duke Energy, told the Carolina Journal. “This is a precautionary step, and as of this morning, we had not needed to use it. But it allows us to use power-generating units within our service territory to operate at their maximum generating output levels.” 

On Jan. 26, Duke Energy submitted a request urging the secretary to intervene by issuing an emergency order “to preserve the reliability of the bulk electric power system,” according to the letter. Duke Energy requests that the secretary issue an order “authorizing electrical generating units located within the Duke Energy service territory to operate up to their maximum generation output levels.”

Issued by the DOE on Jan. 26, the order “authorizes Duke’s generating units located within the Duke region to operate up to their maximum generation output levels, notwithstanding air quality or other permit limitations arising under federal, state, or local law or regulation, or other applicable source of law.” 

The order was initially set to expire at 12pm EST on Jan. 30, but has been extended through 12pm on Feb. 3.

“This emergency waiver helps Duke Energy keep the power on during this week’s extreme cold, which means families can keep their homes warm, their lights on, their stoves and refrigerators powered, and for those who live in the country, their water flowing, too,” Jon Sanders, director of the Center for Food, Power and Life at the John Locke Foundation, told the Carolina Journal. “Temperatures this week are dangerously cold, so it is certainly in the public’s best interest to set aside emissions standards as needed to keep the power flowing.”

A similar situation occurred in the summer of 2025 during a heatwave at the end of June, when Duke Energy submitted a request to the DOE for an emergency order that authorized Duke to exceed emissions limits. 

During the emergency order last summer, energy use percentages were notable: solar power declined by 19.6%, coal increased by 29.9%, and natural gas increased by 6.2%. 

Between Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, solar increased by 1.4%, solar by 23% and coal by 10.5%.

“DOE extends Duke Energy output waiver due to frigid temps” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.