Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump Administration Order to Keep Michigan Coal Plant Open
A federal appeals court has ruled against the Trump administration's attempt to keep an aging coal plant operating beyond its planned retirement in Michigan. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that the Department of Energy (DOE) overstepped its authority by using a rarely invoked emergency provision under the Federal Power Act. This decision marks a setback for efforts aimed at preserving coal-fired power generation amid rising electricity demand linked to data center expansion. Since 2025, the Trump administration had used emergency powers to extend operations of several aging plants across multiple states, including Michigan's Consumers Energy J.H. Campbell Generating Plant. The plant was scheduled to close in 2025 due to economic reasons but remained open under a DOE order at an estimated cost of $295 million for the utility over part of that period. The ruling reinforces legal boundaries on federal emergency powers and supports market-driven decisions regarding energy infrastructure, according to environmental advocates. The decision also highlights ongoing tensions between regulatory intervention in energy markets and climate change concerns.
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