The U.S. Department of Energy on Saturday issued an emergency order to address grid reliability in the Midwest by keeping the coal-fired J.H. Campbell Generating Plant in West Olive, Mich., available to operate during emergencies.
The order directs the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, in coordination with Consumers Energy Company, to ensure the plant can run as needed while using economic dispatch to limit costs, the department said. The order takes effect Nov. 15, 2026, and runs through Feb. 12, 2027.
DOE said the emergency conditions that led to a prior order remain in place. The department pointed to a joint report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and NERC’s Regional Entities that described how the Winter 2026 Arctic Cold Period, including Winter Storm Fern, showed the need for dispatchable power from facilities such as the Campbell plant.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said, “Ensuring coal plants such as the Campbell Plant are available to operate has prevented blackouts and likely saved lives.”
DOE said the Campbell plant had been scheduled to retire on May 31, 2025, which is 15 years ahead of the end of its design life. The department also credited President Donald Trump with preventing early retirements, stating that in 2025 more than 17 gigawatts of coal-fired generation were kept from going offline.
The department did not say how often the Campbell plant will run under the order.