Trump Admin Kept Coal Plants Online, Averted Grid Catastrophe During Snowstorm

Energy Department says Biden's climate policies would have led to blackouts, but Trump's actions saved the day

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:23am

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According to the U.S. Energy Department, the Trump administration's decision to keep five major coal-fired power plants online and allow grid providers to draw more fossil fuel-based energy prevented a potential grid catastrophe during the recent massive snowstorm. The department said Biden-era plans to pivot away from fossil fuels would have led to widespread blackouts, but Trump's policies ensured the lights stayed on for millions of Americans.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing debate over the role of fossil fuels versus renewable energy sources in maintaining a reliable power grid, especially during extreme weather events. It also underscores the political tensions around energy policy between the Trump and Biden administrations.

The details

The Energy Department said Secretary Chris Wright issued emergency orders over the weekend that allowed power plants to operate beyond EPA regulations, keeping five major coal plants online that were slated for closure under Biden's green energy push. This provided an additional 17 gigawatts of coal power that helped meet surging electricity demand during the storm. The department also said the Trump administration authorized grid operators to draw on more fossil fuel-based backup generation, which made up 68% of the energy utilized across the storm's path.

  • The snowstorm hit areas from Alabama to Vermont over the weekend of January 25-26, 2026.
  • The Energy Department issued the emergency orders to keep coal plants operating and allow more fossil fuel use over the weekend and through Tuesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Chris Wright

The U.S. Secretary of Energy under the Trump administration.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who was elected to a second term and whose administration's energy policies are credited with averting a grid catastrophe during the snowstorm.

Joe Biden

The former U.S. President whose administration's plans to pivot away from fossil fuels were cited as potentially leading to widespread blackouts during the snowstorm.

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What they’re saying

“We told grid providers: if your energy demand reaches a critical level… let us know,”

— Energy Department Official (Fox News)

“Thankfully, President Trump was elected and has already prevented the forced closure of five coal plants and more than 17 gigawatts of reliable coal power.”

— Ben Dietderich, Energy Department Press Secretary (Fox News)

What’s next

The Energy Department says it will continue to prioritize reliable and affordable energy sources, even as the Biden administration pushes for a transition to renewable energy.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing political and policy tensions around the role of fossil fuels versus renewable energy in maintaining a resilient power grid, especially during extreme weather events. It highlights how the Trump administration's energy policies were seen as crucial in preventing widespread blackouts during the recent snowstorm.