Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued an emergency order requiring the Midwest Independent System Operator and Consumers Energy to keep the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in West Olive, Michigan, operational. The 1,420-megawatt facility, originally scheduled for closure on May 31, 2025, will now remain online through November 14, 2026, to support grid reliability in the Midwest.
The plant is considered critical for maintaining the Midwest grid's stability, especially during periods of high demand and when renewable sources generate less power. The Department of Energy's order aims to enable economic dispatch and minimize electricity costs for consumers.
According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment, the Midwest Independent System Operator region faces a high risk of energy shortages, mainly because planned additions do not meet increasing demand and scheduled generator retirements worsen challenges.
The DOE also cites its Resource Adequacy Report, which projects significantly higher blackout risks from the early retirement of reliable power sources. Recent DOE statements highlight that ongoing coal plant operation helps reduce the chance of outages and ensures affordable, reliable electricity supply.
Since 2025, more than 17 gigawatts of coal-powered generation have been retained from retirement nationwide, reflecting a policy shift to support grid stability.