September 7, 2023 DOE 202(c) Order

On September 7, 2023, ERCOT requested that the U.S. Secretary of Energy issue an order that would allow generating units in the ERCOT region to operate in excess of their federal environmental permit limits so that these units could provide maximum output during the ongoing hot weather event.  The order was requested because of concerns that the supply of generation might be insufficient to fully satisfy ERCOT’s demand and operating reserve requirements in certain hours during this weather event.

The Secretary of Energy granted ERCOT’s request and issued an order the same day.  The order allowed certain identified units to exceed permitted limitations only if ERCOT has declared an EEA Level 2 or 3, and only during the period from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The order is effective until 9:00 p.m. on September 8, 2023.  The units that are authorized to exceed permitted limitations in these circumstances, and their general locations, are identified below.