Winter Storm Fern Exposes the Truth About America’s Energy Grid
January 29, 2026
As Americans dig out from Winter Storm Fern, one thing is clear: when the weather turns deadly, reliable energy matters. Once again, traditional energy delivered, while wind and solar fell short. New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that natural gas, coal, and nuclear provided roughly 80 percent of U.S. electricity during the storm. Wind generated about 8 percent, and solar just 3 percent, with both sources largely absent during the coldest overnight and early-morning hours—exactly when families needed power the most. Power The Future’s new report, Frozen By Fern, lays out the facts. Our report shows that despite years…