LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The risk of electricity shortages is prompting the federal government to take precautionary measures to prevent blackouts.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order for PJM Interconnection, which manages a regional power grid serving the mid-Atlantic and portions of the Midwest, including parts of Michigan.

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The order is effective Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Friday, Oct. 16. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), elevated electricity demand is coinciding with scheduled fall maintenance that has temporarily taken many power plants and transmission lines out of service.

Hot weather is contributing to higher demand. PJM also says some generators are nearing operating limits imposed by their environmental permits, including restrictions on air pollution, wastewater discharges and fuel use. Those limits could force generators to reduce output or stop running when extra electricity is needed.

The order allows PJM to direct certain power plants to operate when needed, including temporary relief from specified environmental restrictions. It also allows backup generators to run as a last resort when electricity supplies become critically low.

“This order will help ensure millions of American families and businesses across the mid-Atlantic have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity by making additional power generation, including backup power, available to use as needed,” Wright said.

“While past leaders’ energy subtraction policies have made the grid more vulnerable to the risk of blackouts when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow, this administration remains committed to using every available tool to prevent blackouts,” he added.

The Department of Energy estimates more than 35 gigawatts of unused backup generating capacity is available nationwide.