U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, attends an interview , in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 11, 2025.
President Donald Trump, on the first day of his second term, declared an “energy emergency” and has implemented measures favoring the continued use of fossil fuels at older power plants while reducing tax incentives and support for renewable energy development. These policy directions are intended to address concerns over grid stability and energy supply security amid growing power demand.
The Wagner power plant, located near Baltimore, includes several generating units. In July, Wright approved a request from PJM Interconnection to allow the nearly 400-megawatt unit to operate beyond existing limits. The unit had been slated for permanent closure in May, but federal energy regulators extended its operation until 2029 following PJM’s request. This move reflects efforts to maintain sufficient generation capacity as parts of the U.S. grid face supply constraints.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Energy said the “growing resource adequacy concern” identified in PJM’s July request “still exists today.” The department emphasized that maintaining operational flexibility for essential generating units is necessary to prevent potential reliability issues in the region’s electricity network.
Wright has also ordered the continued operation of other fossil-fuel-based facilities, including a coal-fired plant in Michigan and a Pennsylvania plant capable of running on natural gas or oil. These decisions are part of broader federal measures designed to ensure that existing infrastructure remains available to meet peak power demand and maintain energy security during periods of system stress.
The recent actions underscore the administration’s focus on preserving grid reliability while balancing regional energy needs. They also highlight ongoing debates in U.S. energy policy over how to manage the transition toward cleaner sources while ensuring adequate generation capacity in the near term.
The Wagner plant extension, together with the orders for Michigan and Pennsylvania facilities, illustrates how the Department of Energy is prioritizing dependable supply amid uncertainties related to resource availability and infrastructure resilience. The department noted that such temporary measures are necessary until sufficient replacement capacity is developed to support the growing energy demands of the PJM region.
