The U.S. Department of Energy has ordered that an oil and gas plant in Eddystone keep its turbines running at least until Aug. 28 during the hottest parts of summer to prevent electricity shortfalls in the 13-state mid-Atlantic grid, reports the Associated Press at KYW Newsradio.
Plant owner Constellation Energy had planned to shut down Eddystone’s units 3 and 4 on Saturday until the order came in.
It is the Energy Department’s second use of federal power under President Donald Trump to require a power plant to keep operating.
Last week, it ordered Consumers Energy to keep a coal-fired power plant in Michigan open that was set to shut down on Saturday.
Grid operator PJM, which last year approved Constellation’s request to shut down the units, welcomed the department’s order, saying it’s a “prudent, term-limited step” that gives PJM, the department, and Constellation time to study longer-term needs and the viability of Eddystone’s units.
A similar view was not shared for the Michigan plant shutdown. The grid operator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, said the order was unnecessary because there was no energy emergency there and none expected for the summer.
Find out more about the Energy Department’s order at KYW Newsradio.
