Overview
- The 90-day emergency order signed Nov. 18 keeps the J.H. Campbell plant running until Feb. 17, 2026, marking the third consecutive extension.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited an energy emergency and elevated shortfall risks as older plants retire and electricity demand grows.
- Consumers Energy says it will comply and plans to seek cost recovery at FERC, reporting about $615,000 in daily losses and roughly $80 million in net costs through September.
- Michigan regulators and the MISO grid operator had approved the plant’s May 31 retirement and did not request federal intervention.
- Environmental groups and Michigan’s attorney general are challenging the orders in court, arguing the aging coal plant is costly, polluting and unnecessary even during peak demand.