DOE allows Talen to run oil-fired unit above limits to avoid outages amid heat wave

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an emergency order allowing Talen Energy's nearly 400-MW oil-fired unit near Baltimore to operate beyond its limits due to a heat wave affecting the eastern U.S. This unit was initially scheduled for retirement in May but was granted a reprieve until 2029 under a reliability agreement. The emergency order, requested by PJM Interconnection, comes as the unit has nearly exhausted its annual operating hours, and without it, there could be blackouts in the Baltimore Gas and Electric zone.

In addition to the Baltimore unit, the DOE's emergency orders have faced legal challenges, particularly regarding a coal-fired power plant in Michigan. Michigan's Attorney General has filed a lawsuit claiming that the DOE overstepped its authority by ordering the plant to continue operating beyond its retirement date, arguing that this could lead to unnecessary costs and pollution. Environmental groups have also joined in challenging the DOE's actions, asserting that the emergency orders are part of a broader strategy to maintain fossil fuel generation under the pretext of grid reliability.