WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – A coal-fired power plant on the verge of shutdown in West Olive, Michigan in Ottawa County just got a temporary second wind – courtesy of the Trump administration. In a last-minute move, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order halting the closure of the 1,560-megawatt J.H. Campbell plant, citing risks to grid reliability and regional energy stability.
This emergency order is temporary and runs through August 21. It directs the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), in coordination with Consumers Energy, to ensure that the Campbell coal-fired power plant “remains available for operation, minimizing any potential capacity shortfall that could lead to unnecessary power outages.”
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In a statement, Wright said, “Today’s emergency order enables that Michiganders and the greater Midwest region do not lose critical power generation capability as summer begins and electricity demand regularly reaches high levels.”
Wright went on to say, “This administration will not sit back and allow dangerous energy subtraction policies threaten the resiliency of our grid and raise electricity prices on American families. With President Trump’s leadership, the Energy Department is hard at work securing the American people access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy that powers their lives regardless of whether the wind is blowing, or the sun is shining.”
This decision comes as Michigan utilities are rushing to meet aggressive climate goals championed by Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Legislation pushed through by Democrats in the state has seen the state retiring baseload energy sources as fast as possible to meet green energy goals. But the Trump administration made it clear: when it comes to energy policy, reliability takes precedence over political ideology.
Consumers Energy agrees to follow the order.
Consumers Energy plans to comply with the emergency order and the 90-day pause and spokesperson Katie Carey said in a statement, “We are reviewing the executive action and the overall impact on our company.”
A critical asset for Michigan and the Midwest.
State Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River) praised the administration’s decision to keep the plant operational in a recent press release saying “I want to thank the administration and Secretary Wright for hearing our concerns and taking action to protect this critical energy asset and keep J.H. Campbell operational. The baseload energy produced there is crucial to tens of thousands of people who count on reliable and affordable energy.”
He went on to say, “This facility is a regional asset, not just to Michigan, but to the entire Midwest. Its importance cannot be understated. If J.H. Campbell goes down, we enter into dangerous territory, where one bad day for any generation asset – whether it be baseload, wind, or solar – could mean widespread outages.”
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Prestin added, “The President and his administration continue to recognize the importance of safeguarding American energy production. I’m grateful for their never-ending commitment to protecting the American people’s access to affordable and reliable energy.”
Grid reliability or green gamble?
Environmental groups have already cried foul. The Sierra Club said in a statement, “Since coming into office, Donald Trump has weakened domestic energy production by pausing all wind energy projects and proposing to slash hundreds of clean energy projects in the U.S.”
They go on to say that invoking the Federal Power act is an “illegal abuse” of President Trump’s authority and that it’s a “sham” energy emergency.
Energy policy with its feet on the ground.
Even before this pause, a group had started a campaign called “Save the Campbell,” warning of looming power reliability issues if its baseload energy was pulled from the grid. They point to national reports that raised alarms about the strain caused by rising energy demand and the accelerating pace of plant closures.
As Michigan barrels into another hot summer with AC units humming and demand surging, the Trump administration’s move may prove to be more than just a political statement – it could be the power play that keeps the lights on this summer. But that begs the question: what about next summer? Can and will this temporary order be extended?
