Chris Wright, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, issued an emergency order to prevent the early demolition of the coal power plant in Park Township, Michigan. The 90-day order does not stop Consumer’s Energy from closing the plant, but it does prevent its early demolition.

"This administration will not sit back and allow dangerous energy subtraction policies threaten the resiliency of our grid and raise electricity prices on American families."
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—Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy

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Federal officials explained that energy use will peak this summer, causing serious concerns for energy shortages and blackouts. The highest risk was identified as August 2025, when demand for electricity is highest.

The 1,560 megawatt power plant has been slated for early closure since 2022. Governor Whitmer and the legislature accelerated the MI Healthy Climate Plan in 2024, which incentivizes the Democratic Party’s green energy mandates for “climate justice” and seeks to completely eliminate all coal-fired power plants as soon as possible.

The early closure and demolition of the J.H. Campbell has been a major discussion between local, state, and federal officials. State-level officials have cited Michigan laws and regulations, which lock the state into Whitmer's energy mandates.

On April 30, 2025, several Michigan legislators sent a letter to Secretary Doug Burgum, U.S. Department of the Interior, and Secretary Christopher Wright, U.S. Department of Energy, voicing concerns about Michigan’s energy grid. Specifically, they are concerned that eliminating coal power plants that provide affordable, reliable, baseload energy will create risks for families and businesses across Michigan.

The letter was drafted by Michigan Representative Luke Meerman, and signed by State Senators Roger Victory, Mark Huizenga, and Jonathan Lindsey, as well as State Representatives Dave Prestin, Rachelle Smit, and Bradley Slagh, all elected Republicans.

State and local officials have highlighted a December 2024 report by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which demonstrated Michigan’s MISO grid as the highest risk of blackouts in the United States.

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On May 23, 2025, Alex Fitzsimmons, Director of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), issued a Memorandum to the Department of Energy, outlining the energy risks in Michigan and a request to address the emergency. The U.S. Department of Energy approved the request, issuing an emergency order, pursuant to section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, to Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).

The order directs MISO and Consumers Energy to take all measures necessary to ensure that the Campbell Plant is available to operate to protect the grid and minimize cost to ratepayers. Under the law, this type of emergency order can be issued for up to 90 days, and then can subsequently be renewed in additional 90-day increments, if needed.

Per the emergency order, there will be monitoring and reporting by MISO to the Department of Energy, with the possibility of additional future intervention.

This emergency order is the most recent event related to a long-running conversation at the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, about the growing risk of power outages the closure could bring to Ottawa County and beyond. The county board has considered two resolutions on the matter in 2025. The first one—which passed in February, asked the state to reconsider approval of the closure. The stage agency responsible has not responded.

The second resolution, drafted by Commissioner Allison Miedema, failed 4-7 in April. The resolution had proposed the county exercise its Constitutional authority to initiate litigation to delay the early closure and demolition of the plant. Board Chair John Teeples and others voiced opposition to legal action.

Officials will continue to monitor the energy grid to watch for shortages this summer.