Trump admin issues emergency order to keep Michigan coal plant open

Just hours before its closure, the Trump administration ordered a western Michigan coal-fired power plant to remain open for 90 days.

This is the second 90-day extension for the J.H. Campbell coal-fired plant in West Olive, which currently generates enough energy to serve a million people.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued the emergency order late Wednesday night, just hours before the plant was set to close permanently.

That order directed Midcontinent Independent System Operator, in combination with Consumers Energy, to continue operating the plant due to an energy emergency.

“I hereby determine that an emergency exists in portions of the Midwest region of the United States due to a shortage of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the generation of electricity, and other causes,” Wright stated in the order. “Issuance of this order will meet the emergency and serve the public interest.”

The plant had been scheduled to close Thursday. Wright said the closure would have led to power outages throughout the region.

“I determined that the continued operation of the Campbell plant would provide additional generation capacity during these periods which would help prevent the potential loss of power to homes and local businesses in the areas that might have been affected by curtailments or outages that would otherwise pose a risk to public health and safety,” Wright said.

Democrats and public interest groups have been quick to respond to the extension, contending there is no energy emergency.

“Trump forced a dirty, inefficient coal plant in West Michigan to keep running,” said the Michigan Democratic Party in response to the announcement. “If he doesn't let it close, Michiganders will pay roughly $171 million more in energy bills every year. So much for lowering costs for working families.”

Others have pointed to concerns about negative impacts on climate change.

“At a time when energy costs are skyrocketing, the Trump administration is guaranteeing rate hikes for Michiganders by extending the life of this expensive, outdated Campbell Coal plant,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Every day it remains open means more pollution in our air and higher energy costs for Michigan families. Our bills are already too high, and Trump’s reckless energy policies are making it worse.”

The plant began operating in 1962 and was initially scheduled to close May 31. The Campbell plant is Consumers Energy’s last coal-fired power plant.

The July report, the U.S. Department of Energy argued that the U.S. will face a significantly increased risk of power outages by 2030 if scheduled coal and natural gas plant retirements are allowed to proceed, as previously reported by The Center Square.

The report fulfills a direction by President Donald Trump in an April executive order to “develop a uniform methodology for analyzing current and anticipated reserve margins for all regions of the bulk power system.”

Michigan joined a coalition of states challenging that report.

“This report is based on flawed assumptions, overstates risks, and attempts to override the authority of states and regional regulators all to appease President Trump,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “We cannot allow the federal government to use a manufactured emergency to prop up outdated coal plants at the expense of Michigan families and our energy future.”

Nessel has also filed a lawsuit pushing for the Campbell plant to be closed immediately, arguing the initial emergency order was unlawful and that the plant’s continued operation could put “enormous costs onto utility customers who receive no real benefit.”