Energy Department Orders Michigan Coal Generating Station To Remain Open - CleanTechnica

The U.S. Energy Department, led by Chris Wright, issued an emergency order mandating that the 63-year-old J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan remain operational for at least 90 days, overriding a previously approved decommissioning plan set by the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) in 2022. The plant was scheduled to close as part of a transition plan that included replacing its capacity with a methane-fired power plant already purchased by Consumers Energy, the utility owner. Wright justified the order by citing concerns over potential electricity shortages in the Midwest during the summer due to insufficient baseload power from coal, gas, and nuclear plants. However, the Michigan PSC and the utility company stated they neither requested nor were consulted about the emergency order, highlighting a lack of coordination and transparency. The decision has drawn criticism for bypassing the usual regulatory process, which typically involves public comment and agency review, and for imposing significant financial burdens on consumers. Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan PSC, estimated that keeping the coal plant running could cost ratepayers across 15 states tens of millions of dollars, potentially nearing $100 million. The Energy Department defended the order by referencing longstanding warnings from grid operators about the risks of decommissioning baseload power sources but did not provide evidence of a cost-benefit analysis or acknowledge the existing replacement plan. Emergency orders of this nature are described as highly unusual, underscoring the controversial and unprecedented nature of this intervention.