Energy Department Extends Order Keeping Michigan Coal Plant Open
The Department of Energy has again ordered the J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Michigan to stay running as an earlier order remains under appeal.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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The Department of Energy issued another emergency order keeping the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in West Michigan open. The order is set to expire Saturday, and a federal judge's September ruling vacating the initial order is being appealed.
Why it matters
The plant was originally scheduled to close in May 2025, and repeated emergency orders have extended its life since then. The Michigan Attorney General's Office estimates keeping it open has cost an additional $295 million, costs that could be passed on to electric customers in the state.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office put the added cost of keeping the plant open at $295 million as of September. The appeal of the federal ruling against the initial order has not been resolved, and the total cost going forward is not yet known.
The players
U.S. Department of Energy
The federal department that issues emergency orders under federal energy authority and has repeatedly extended the operation of the J.H. Campbell plant.
Consumers Energy
The Michigan utility that had planned for the J.H. Campbell plant to close in 2025.
Michigan Attorney General's Office
The state office that estimated the additional cost of keeping the plant open at $295 million.
The details
The Department of Energy claims the nation is under an energy emergency and cannot afford to let the plant close, and it has repeatedly issued new orders to extend the plant's operation. Consumers Energy and local energy regulators had planned for the plant to close in 2025.
Timeline
May 2025: The J.H. Campbell plant was originally scheduled to close.
2025: Planned closure year per Consumers Energy and regulators.
September: A federal judge vacated the Energy Department's initial emergency order, and the Michigan Attorney General's Office released its cost estimate.
Saturday: The current emergency order is set to expire.
Market Landscape
The Energy Department has issued multiple emergency orders keeping other coal plants open, following a pattern of federal intervention against scheduled retirements. The Campbell plant case shows how that pattern shifts costs and legal exposure onto state utilities and their customers.
The $295 million in added costs could be passed on to electric customers in Michigan. Households and businesses served by the plant's utility may see the effect in future electricity bills.
The takeaway
Electricity costs tied to federal emergency orders are a direct consideration for Michigan customers. Readers can track the appeal and any state cost recovery decisions to understand how the expense is allocated.
What happens next
The current emergency order expires Saturday, and the appeal of the federal ruling vacating the initial order is pending.
Further reading
For more on the energy sector, see Oil and Gas coverage of Michigan.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WNMU-FM.
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