articleThe Brief The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order for a western grid operator to take steps to maintain electric service in 17 states as hot weather conditions continue. The order directs the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) to dispatch generator units to operate as a last resort as needed to maintain electric service. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order Sunday to keep Americans across 17 states powered as hot weather conditions continue. Big picture view:The Southwest Power Poll (SPP) is a Regional Transmission Organization headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Source: This article includes information from the U.S. Departement of Energy, the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP), and previous FOX Local reporting.