Energy Chief Wright Defends Emergency Orders to Keep Coal Plants Running During Winter Storm

Critics say the orders could cost utility customers billions over the next few years.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Trump administration said its use of emergency orders to keep aging coal-fired plants operating helped prevent major blackouts during the recent brutal winter storm. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other officials argued the orders were necessary to maintain reliable electricity service, with natural gas and coal leading the way. However, critics said the orders understated the role of renewable energy sources and could cost customers billions.

Why it matters

The debate over the administration's use of emergency orders to prop up coal plants highlights the ongoing tensions between fossil fuels and renewable energy sources, as well as concerns about the reliability and affordability of the nation's electric grid during extreme weather events.

The details

The administration said its orders allowing utilities to exceed pollution limits on fossil fuel-fired plants and requiring backup generators to be available helped ensure sufficient capacity during the storm. Officials cited statistics showing natural gas provided 43% of electric power at peak generation, followed by coal at 24% and nuclear at 15%, while renewables like wind, solar and hydropower provided a combined 14%. Critics argued the orders were unnecessary and would drive up electricity bills to keep expensive, uneconomical coal plants operating.

  • In the lead-up to the storm and cold temperatures, the administration excused utilities from pollution limits on fossil fuel-fired plants.
  • On December 30, the administration ordered the Craig Generating Station in Colorado to keep its Unit 1 operating, one day before it was scheduled to shut down.

The players

Chris Wright

The U.S. Energy Secretary who defended the administration's use of emergency orders to keep coal plants operating during the winter storm.

James Danly

The Deputy Energy Secretary who drew a contrast with the grid performance during a similar severe storm in 2021, calling the 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 that 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 that 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 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 (ksgf.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 (ksgf.com)

“It's expensive to keep them going.”

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

What’s next

The nonprofit owners of the Craig Generating Station in Colorado have filed a protest with the Energy Department seeking to reverse the order to keep its Unit 1 operating, arguing that their members and communities are being unfairly forced to pay to keep a costly and unreliable plant operating.

The takeaway

The administration's use of emergency orders to keep aging coal plants running during the winter storm has sparked a debate over the role of fossil fuels versus renewable energy sources in maintaining a reliable and affordable electric grid. While the orders helped prevent widespread blackouts, critics argue they could ultimately cost consumers billions and understate the contributions of wind, solar and other renewables.