In specific situations, the Department of Energy can utilize emergency authorities to further support the restoration and/or reliability of the energy infrastructure. Those authorities include:
- Federal Power Act Emergency Authority: Federal Power Act (FPA) section 202(c) grants the Department of Energy authority to issue emergency orders and coordinate and respond to situations in which there are increases in demand for electric energy or shortages of electric energy.
- Defense Production Act: The Secretary of Energy can require performance on a priority basis of contracts or orders “deemed necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense.” When a “priority” rating is applied, it requires that the order be fulfilled ahead of others in the marketplace to meet the negotiated performance or delivery date.
- Natural Gas Policy Act: Authorizes DOE to purchase natural gas and allocating supplies of natural gas during an imminent shortage.