US winter storms could cause power outages, cut natgas supplies

4/1/2025 7:12

Freezing weather and snow storms across the U.S. could cause massive power outages over the next week and boost natural gas demand to its highest levels of the winter, according to energy analysts and reliability coordinators.



The bump in demand comes as supplies of gas could drop due to the freezing of oil and gas wells and pipes, known in the energy industry as so-called "freeze-offs."



Gas provides about 43% of the nation's power generation and heats about 45% of the country's homes, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The jump in demand coupled with a drop in supply could drive up prices next week.



"Appalachia and Rockies production face freeze-off risks as temperatures drop into the single digits or below," analysts at energy consulting firm Gelber and Associates said in a note.