Mongabay · Climate & nature

Court Rejects Trump Order to Keep Michigan Coal Plant Open

A federal court has ruled against the Trump administration's order to keep the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan operating past its planned retirement. The court found the Energy Department exceeded its authority.

The Energy Department had used emergency powers to keep the 64-year-old plant open, citing reliability concerns. Environmental groups and three states challenged this order, arguing there was no genuine emergency under the law.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed, stating that reversing a planned retirement was disruptive and did not meet the legal definition of an emergency.

This ruling is part of a broader pattern where the Trump administration has used emergency powers to prevent several coal plants nationwide from closing. Critics argue these orders increase costs for consumers and contribute to pollution.

Keeping the Michigan plant open was estimated to cost at least $135 million in 2025 alone.

Environmental advocates stated the ruling rebuked efforts to force aging, costly, and polluting coal plants to remain operational, potentially saving families and businesses significant expenses.

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