US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order to minimize blackouts and address grid security issues in the Midwest region, ahead of high electricity demand this summer. The order directs the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Consumers Energy to keep the 1,560 MW J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant operational, preventing a potential capacity shortfall.
The plant was set to shut down on May 31, but Wright’s order ensures Michiganders won’t lose critical power generation capability as summer begins. The administration aims to secure affordable, reliable, and secure energy for American families.
The move comes after the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) warned the region of high risk operating reserve shortfalls during periods of high demand. Upcoming thermal generation retirements contribute to these risks, with “supply shortfalls” expected during late summer months when solar output diminishes earlier in the day.
Source: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-secretary-issues-emergency-order-secure-grid-reliability-ahead-summer-months