DoE emergency order allowing PJM to curtail power use at data centers underscores concerns over grid reliability in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic.
The PJM received emergency approval from the U.S. Department of Energy to temporarily reduce power use at data centers and other large energy users with backup generation during a stretch of hot weather across the Mid-Atlantic. The request came as the grid operator faced higher demand, planned spring maintenance outages, and tighter-than-usual reserve margins, with Maryland and Virginia identified as areas of particular concern. The authority would only be used as a last step before broader service interruptions.
For Maryland policymakers, the order is underscores that data center growth is a multifaceted issue. As large-load projects continue to seek sites across the region, state and local leaders will have to balance new investment and tax base growth against real pressure on power supply, transmission capacity, utility costs, and emergency planning.
If you’re following energy issues, be sure to check out The Briefing Room, a new limited series from the Conduit Street Podcast. Airing Tuesdays this summer, the series breaks down complex topics over several weeks through conversations with key decision-makers shaping Maryland’s policy landscape. Our first five episodes focus on energy: from grid reliability and generation challenges to local siting concerns and rising demand. The Briefing Room offers county leaders and policy watchers a clear, accessible look at the issues driving Maryland’s public policy landscape.
