The US Energy Department has ordered two coal-fired power plants in Michigan and Pennsylvania to stay open for 90 days, despite having already planned to retire them. The decision, made by the Trump administration, aims to boost fossil fuels production but has raised concerns among experts and consumer groups.
According to reports, Consumers Energy, which operates a 63-year-old coal-fired power plant in Michigan, had to rush to buy more coal after receiving the emergency order. The company’s employees who were set to retire or transfer have now been put on hold for at least another three months.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator expects sufficient capacity to serve projected summer demand but acknowledges that extreme weather and tighter conditions may force it to use emergency procedures.
In Pennsylvania, PJM Interconnection has welcomed the emergency order, citing adequate reserves for the summer but warning of potential trouble in an extreme scenario.
Critics argue that the decision is unnecessary, as coal plants produce less than a fifth of the nation’s power and can be replaced by renewable energy sources. Research suggests it costs more to operate most coal plants than building wind or solar power replacements.
The Energy Department has issued several dozen emergency orders since 1935, typically in response to acute weather emergencies. The Trump administration’s April executive order aimed at reviving the coal industry by slashing regulations and opening more land for mining was met with fierce opposition from grid operators and consumers.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/climate/trump-coal-gas-plants-energy-emergency.html