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He did not mince words.
“Across the country there are gigawatts of readily available backup generation that have remained largely untapped until now,” Wright wrote, adding that tapping that generation could save American lives and avoid billions of dollars in economic costs.
According to the Department of Energy, more than 35 gigawatts of unused backup power capacity exists nationwide. That is enough electricity to power tens of millions of homes. Officials say this dormant energy could be critical if demand spikes as temperatures plunge.
To put that number into perspective, one gigawatt roughly equals the output of a large nuclear power plant.
Grid operators were instructed that if electricity demand approaches blackout levels, they should be ready to activate backup generators before declaring the most severe grid emergency classification, known as Energy Emergency Alert Level 3.
Federal officials say the move is intended as a last line of defense to stabilize the grid during peak stress.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned that Winter Storm Fern could affect hundreds of millions of Americans. Meteorologists are predicting some of the harshest winter conditions of the season, including dangerous ice accumulation and prolonged subfreezing temperatures across wide regions.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has already issued alerts ahead of the storm, warning that power systems could face “significant challenges” through at least Monday. Utilities in multiple states have activated emergency response plans and are urging residents to prepare for potential outages.
What makes the administration’s strategy unusual is the type of facilities involved.
Many of the sites being considered for backup generation are not typically integrated into grid operations. Data centers, retail complexes, and industrial facilities usually maintain generators solely for internal emergencies, not to support the broader grid.
Under the Trump administration’s plan, those facilities could temporarily disconnect from the grid and run on their own backup power. This would free up electricity for homes, hospitals, and essential services during critical periods.
Some in the private sector are welcoming the approach.
Compass Datacenters publicly praised the plan, saying that allowing facilities to operate independently during emergencies could help preserve limited grid capacity when it is needed most.
However, critics are already raising objections.
Public interest groups argue that many backup generators rely on diesel fuel and are not designed for prolonged operation. They warn that extended use could lead to higher emissions and raise health concerns, particularly in densely populated areas.
Others point out that many backup systems are not synchronized with grid infrastructure, making coordination more complex during emergencies.
The power crunch is being worsened by declining energy production caused by the extreme cold itself. Oil and natural gas output has already dropped in key regions such as the Permian Basin and Appalachia as freezing conditions disrupt operations.
As supply tightens, electricity prices have surged in some areas due to grid congestion and rising demand.
Federal officials stress that the emergency use of backup generation is not a substitute for long term grid improvements or infrastructure protection. Downed power lines, frozen equipment, and storm damage remain serious risks.
Still, the Trump administration is making it clear that it is willing to use every available tool to keep Americans safe and the economy running during extreme weather.
As Winter Storm Fern advances, the coming days may test whether this bold strategy can prevent blackouts and expose just how fragile the nation’s energy system has become after years of policy decisions that critics say weakened reliability.
If the grid holds, supporters will credit decisive leadership. If it fails, the consequences could be severe.
