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FOX Climate correspondent Ian Oliver discusses particulars of the foremost winter storm bringing sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow and important ice throughout a number of states on ‘Particular Report.’
As a large winter storm barrels throughout the U.S., energy grid operators are taking extraordinary steps to maintain the lights on and keep away from rolling blackouts.
The storm, stretching greater than 2,300 miles, has triggered sharp worth volatility in electrical energy markets and compelled some areas to quickly lean on oil-fired era to satisfy demand, Reuters reported.
PJM Interconnection — the nation’s largest regional energy grid, serving 67 million individuals throughout the East and Mid-Atlantic — noticed wholesale electrical energy costs briefly surge above $3,000 per megawatt-hour early Saturday, up from beneath $200 earlier within the day, Reuters reported.
In New England, gasoline oil era has been ramped as much as assist the area preserve pure fuel, its main gasoline supply, in accordance with Reuters.
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An individual walks within the snow, Saturday, in Little Rock, Ark. (Will Newton/Getty Photographs / Getty Photographs)
On the heart of the pressure is the nation’s heavy dependence on pure fuel supply, in accordance with Didi Caldwell, founder and CEO of site-selection agency International Location Methods.
Pure fuel now fuels roughly 40% of U.S. electrical energy era, up from about 12% in 1990, making uninterrupted provide vital throughout excessive climate, Caldwell mentioned.
“What we lack is adequate capability to retailer and ship fuel in actual time,” Caldwell instructed FOX Enterprise, noting that the U.S. has ample reserves.
In contrast to coal crops, which have traditionally stockpiled months of gasoline on-site, most pure fuel crops depend on just-in-time supply. Any disruption to pipelines or infrastructure can shortly threaten energy era, in accordance with Caldwell.
“If something occurs to disrupt the availability of fuel to the producing stations, they’ve little to no sensible backup,” she mentioned.
Winter storms amplify the danger. Fuel demand spikes as households crank up warmth, whereas electrical energy demand surges on the similar time— a lot of it fueled by pure fuel.
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An in depth view of flight listings at Dallas Fort Price Worldwide Airport on January 24, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Photographs / Getty Photographs)
“Each area is uncovered, however for various causes,” Caldwell mentioned. “Within the southeast, the dearth of storage and restricted transport capability signifies that throughout chilly snaps, pure fuel is competing with itself.”
Probably the most susceptible areas is Transcontinental Fuel Pipe Line Co. Zone 5, which runs by way of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, in accordance with Caldwell.
“Restricted storage and pipeline capability imply that in main winter occasions, atypical for this area just like the one predicted for this weekend, costs for fuel and the transport capability — mainly the reserved quantity on the pipeline — skyrocket,” she mentioned.
The vulnerabilities of this technique had been laid naked throughout Texas’ lethal Winter Storm Uri in 2021, when frozen fuel infrastructure triggered widespread energy outages. Whereas upgrades adopted, the present storm is among the many first main checks of these enhancements, Caldwell mentioned.
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Empty bread cabinets at a grocery retailer, Friday, in Washington, D.C., in anticipation of this weekend’s storm. (Al Drago/Getty Photographs / Getty Photographs)
An identical near-failure occurred in 2022, when fuel programs within the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic had been pushed to their limits throughout an Arctic chilly occasion. The grid held solely by way of emergency measures and skinny margins, in accordance with Caldwell.
Caldwell mentioned long-term options would require grid modernization, focused upgrades to fuel supply, and higher coordination between fuel and electrical programs.
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“Including extra pure fuel era won’t repair and should exacerbate the dangers,” she mentioned.
PJM Interconnection didn’t instantly reply to FOX Enterprise request for remark.
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