Energy Chief Defends Orders Keeping Coal Plants Running During Winter Storm

Trump administration says emergency actions prevented major blackouts, but critics say it cost consumers billions

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Trump administration claimed its use of emergency orders to keep aging coal-fired power plants operating helped prevent major blackouts during the recent brutal winter storm that gripped much of the U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the orders were necessary to maintain reliable electricity service, with natural gas and coal leading the way. However, critics argued the orders could cost utility customers billions and that the administration understated the role of renewable energy sources like wind and solar in keeping the lights on.

Why it matters

The dispute over the Trump administration's use of emergency powers to prop up coal plants highlights the ongoing debate over the reliability and affordability of the U.S. power grid, especially as the country transitions toward more renewable energy sources. The outcome could have major implications for utility bills and the future of fossil fuels in electricity generation.

The details

In the lead-up to the winter storm, the Trump administration issued emergency orders empowering coal-fired power plants to keep operating past their planned retirement dates. Officials said this was necessary to maintain grid reliability, as natural gas and coal provided the majority of electricity generation during the storm. However, critics argued the orders were unnecessary and would cost consumers billions, as the plants were no longer economical to run. Some utilities and states have challenged the orders in court, saying the administration failed to show they were the best alternative.

  • In the lead-up to the storm and cold temperatures, the Trump administration issued emergency orders.
  • The December 30 order to keep the Craig Generating Station's Unit 1 operating came one day before it was scheduled to shut down.

The players

Chris Wright

The U.S. Energy Secretary under the Trump administration, who defended the use of emergency orders to keep coal plants running during the winter storm.

James Danly

The Deputy Energy Secretary under the Trump administration, who contrasted the grid performance during the recent storm with a similar severe storm in 2021, calling the Trump administration's approach a "new way of doing business" during power emergencies.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association

A nonprofit owner of the Craig Generating Station in Colorado, which filed a protest with the Energy Department seeking to reverse the order to keep its Unit 1 operating.

Platte River Power Authority

A nonprofit owner of the Craig Generating Station in Colorado, which filed a protest with the Energy Department seeking to reverse the order to keep its Unit 1 operating.

John Hensley

A senior vice president at the American Clean Power Association, an industry group, who said renewable sources like wind and solar saved consumers billions during the storm and helped ensure the lights stayed on.

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What they’re saying

“The big picture story is where we actually got energy from during this storm. In fact, we had times where our existing capacity couldn't deliver anything and the lights would have gone out if not for emergency orders.”

— Chris Wright, Energy Secretary (wral.com)

“The bottom line here is that we managed to ensure that there was sufficient capacity. Not one area had a blackout or a forced outage due to loss of capacity.”

— James Danly, Deputy Energy Secretary (wral.com)

“It's expensive to keep them going.”

— Michael Goggin, Executive Vice President, Grid Strategies (wral.com)

“Blaming renewables for not performing during the storm 'is like trying to blame someone on the bench for losing the game. They didn't get a chance' to play.”

— John Hensley, Senior Vice President, American Clean Power Association (wral.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case involving the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Platte River Power Authority's protest of the Energy Department's order to keep the Craig Generating Station's Unit 1 operating will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the order to remain in place.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's use of emergency powers to keep aging coal plants running during the winter storm highlights the ongoing debate over the reliability and affordability of the U.S. power grid as it transitions toward more renewable energy sources. The outcome could have significant implications for utility bills and the future of fossil fuels in electricity generation.