Trump administration orders Michigan coal plant to remain open

The Trump administration has issued an emergency order directing a coal-fired power plant in Michigan to remain open for operation through at least the end of summer.

The J.H. Campbell Plant in West Olive was originally slated to shut down May 31 as part of a transition to cleaner energy.

But the Department of Energy (DOE) warned of heightened risk of blackouts this summer and stressed the need to address “critical grid security issues” in the Midwest, especially “ahead of the high electricity demand expected this summer.”

“Today’s emergency order ensures that Michiganders and the greater Midwest region do not lose critical power generation capability as summer begins and electricity demand regularly reach high levels,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a press release Friday.

“This administration will not sit back and allow dangerous energy subtraction policies threaten the resiliency of our grid and raise electricity prices on American families,” he continued.

The DOE cited a report by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation indicating the region serviced by Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is “at elevated risk of operating reserve shortfalls during periods of high demand.”

The report points to the planned retirement of certain power plants as a key factor contributing to the heightened risk, as well as the “supply shortfalls” later in the summer when the sun sets earlier in the day and produces less energy.

But Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission, pushed back on the order in a statement, calling it “unnecessary” and saying it “will increase the cost of power for homes and businesses in Michigan and across the Midwest.”

“Michigan is proud of its robust approach to resource planning which balances reliability and affordability. We currently produce more energy in Michigan than needed. As a result, there is no existing energy emergency in either Michigan or MISO,” Scripps said.

“The MPSC will continue to work with MISO and Consumers Energy to assess the impacts of the DOE’s order and work to limit unnecessary cost increases imposed as a result of this order,” he continued.

A spokesperson for Consumers Energy said it “plans to comply with the Department of Energy order.”

“We are pausing decommissioning activities at the Campbell plant and will operate it in compliance with the order, working in conjunction with MISO. The company is actively working to determine appropriate cost recovery consistent with applicable law and the federal order,” the spokesperson said.

—Updated at 12:05 p.m. EDT