Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced plans to file a request for rehearing with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regarding its recent order that requires Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in West Olive, Michigan, to continue operating until May 18, 2026. This extends the plant’s operation nearly a year beyond its previously approved retirement date of May 31, 2025.
The DOE issued its fourth order under Federal Power Act Section 202(c), citing an energy emergency as justification for keeping the plant open. However, state regulators and grid operators had already approved the retirement after planning and securing replacement power resources.
According to Nessel, continuing operations at the Campbell Plant undermines efforts to transition to more cost-effective energy sources. The original plan was expected to save Michigan ratepayers nearly $600 million. Instead, Consumers Energy has reported at least $135 million in costs since the scheduled retirement date, not including ongoing expenses from December 31, 2025 onward.
“The Department of Energy has once again failed to show any legitimate energy emergency after almost a year of unlawfully forcing the J.H. Campbell Plant to remain operational,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Instead of respecting Michigan’s careful planning and the rule of law, this administration is propping up an aging coal plant at a staggering and completely unnecessary cost to ratepayers. My office will continue to challenge these arbitrary orders to protect our residents from bankrolling a fabricated crisis.”
Nessel has previously filed three requests for rehearing with DOE and three petitions for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit regarding this issue; those proceedings are ongoing.
Additionally, Nessel is litigating before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over how costs associated with continued operation are allocated across regions served by Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which includes parts of 11 states and one Canadian province. She argues that DOE’s orders are unlawful and intends to request further hearings on cost accuracy and reasonableness.
Nessel has also challenged similar DOE directives affecting coal plants in Indiana, aiming to shield Michigan residents from related costs.
Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general and leads statewide initiatives focused on public service and protection through the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The department works throughout Michigan on social efforts such as fighting human trafficking and supporting vulnerable populations while influencing policy through legislation like the Clean Slate law enacted in 2019 for expungement opportunities (source).
