The US Department of Energy has issued an emergency order requiring Consumers Energy to keep the J.H. Campbell Power Plant in Ottawa County open until this summer. The 90-day pause aims to “minimize the risk of blackouts and address critical grid security issues” ahead of high electricity demand.
The plant was scheduled to close on May 31, but the department’s decision will ensure power generation availability doesn’t dip below 2024 capacity levels. The order cites a need for coal-free energy sources to meet Michigan’s state law requiring all energy production from clean sources by 2040.
Consumers Energy had initially planned to keep at least one portion of the plant online until 2040, but decided to close it early due to the company’s Clean Energy Plan. Ottawa County officials had opposed the decision and passed a resolution calling for reconsideration of the shutdown plans.
The order was issued under President Donald Trump’s Executive Order: Declaring a National Energy Emergency, which aims to ensure energy resiliency and raise electricity prices on American families are not affected by “dangerous energy subtraction policies.”
Source: https://eu.hollandsentinel.com/story/business/energy-resource/2025/05/23/department-of-energy-pauses-campbell-plant-closure-with-only-days-left/83828272007