Environmental Groups Challenge Federal Decision on Michigan Coal Plant
In a contentious energy policy debate, environmental advocates and utility regulators are currently awaiting a crucial decision from the U.S. Department of Energy. This follows a petition for a rehearing on a directive from the Trump administration that halted the closure of a Michigan coal-burning power plant.
The controversy erupted when President Donald Trump declared a “national energy emergency,” a move aimed at preventing the shutdown of certain coal power facilities, including Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell plant located near Lake Michigan.
The Department of Energy subsequently ordered a stop to the plant’s closure plans, prompting a swift backlash from environmental groups and the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer with the Michigan Environmental Council, voiced strong opposition to the decision, stating, “There’s no emergency. All the state officials, our regional transmission operator, everybody agrees, Consumers agrees there’s no emergency. There’s no need to keep Campbell open.”
The petition submitted to the Department of Energy urges the reversal of what it describes as a “costly, harmful, and unnecessary and unlawful order.” It emphasizes that there is “no significant risk to the reliability of the electric system in Michigan or elsewhere.”
This energy emergency declaration was further supported by an executive order from President Trump, aimed at boosting the coal industry, which he refers to as the “Beautiful Clean Coal” sector.
Jameson criticized the move as a mere “political tactic to try to keep coal plants open.” If the Department of Energy does not respond to the petition within 30 days, the involved parties may escalate the matter to the courts.
Editor’s note: Consumers Energy is among Michigan Public’s corporate sponsors.
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