Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 26, The U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, has issued an emergency order to maintain operations at the 1.42GW J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in West Olive, Michigan, to ensure a stable electricity supply in the Midwest. The directive, effective from August 21, 2025, to November 19, 2025, extends the plant’s operation for an additional 90 days to address potential power shortages and enhance grid reliability.

Emergency order mandates J.H. Campbell Plant operation amid Midwest power concerns.

The order mandates that the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Consumers Energy keep the plant operational to prevent generation shortfalls that could result in regional power outages. The extension aims to bolster MISO’s reserve margins during periods of high summer demand, when electricity supply may fall short.

Owned primarily by Consumers Energy Company, the J.H. Campbell plant, operational since 1962, was initially slated for early closure in 2021, 15 years ahead of its planned lifespan. A previous order on May 23 extended its operation until August 21, incurring costs of approximately $29 million in the first five weeks, according to the Sierra Club.

Recent retirements of thermal generation capacity in Michigan, totaling about 2.7GW since 2020, have raised concerns about electricity reliability, with no new coal-fired facilities planned. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment indicates elevated risks for MISO during peak demand. Additionally, nuclear power capacity in Michigan has declined with closures like Big Rock Point in 1997 and Palisades in 2022. Although discussions to reopen Palisades are ongoing, it will not contribute to this summer’s peak demand, Wright noted.

MISO’s recent Planning Resource Auction Results highlighted insufficient new capacity additions to offset retirements and reduced resource accreditation in Michigan’s northern and central zones. Wright stated: “The US continues to face an energy emergency, with some regions experiencing more capacity constraints than others. With electricity demand increasing, we must put an end to the dangerous energy subtraction policies embraced by politicians for too long. This order will help ensure millions of Americans can continue to access affordable, reliable, and secure baseload power regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.”

The continued operation of the J.H. Campbell plant supports efforts to maintain a consistent electricity supply, addressing immediate regional energy needs while balancing grid stability and demand.