Trump administration's J.H. Campbell Coal Plant extension is making energy affordability crisis worse
Administration’s forceful coal plant re-opening has cost working families and businesses $135 million
LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today strongly denounced the Trump administration’s decision to once again force the outdated, polluting J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Michigan to remain open – a move that has cost working families in Michigan and throughout the Midwest $135 million since last May.
“During his first month in office, President Trump promised to lower energy costs in half in his first year. Instead, he declared a false energy emergency that is forcing outdated and expensive coal plants to remain open, like the Campbell plant, and working families are paying for it,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for Michigan LCV. “As energy bills skyrocket, keeping the Campbell Coal plant open has racked up a $135 million price tag, and families in Michigan and across the Midwest will see it on their energy bills. Trump’s decision to once again force the coal plant open shows that keeping profits flowing for the fossil fuel interests that supported his campaign are his priority instead of reining in rising energy costs for Michigan families.”
After years of careful planning, the Campbell plant, which is one of the worst greenhouse gas emitters in the state and is owned and operated by Consumers Energy, was scheduled to close last May. Its closure was expected to save working families and businesses $600 million by 2040.
Under the guise of a fake “energy emergency,” the Trump administration ordered it and numerous other coal plants across the nation to remain open for 90 days. This is the fourth time that the order has been extended.
Consumers Energy has stated the cost of keeping the plant open is $615,000 a day and has made clear it intends to pass those costs to customers in Michigan and 10 other states.
Michiganders already pay the highest energy costs in the Midwest for some of the least reliable electrical and gas service delivery in the country.
Prior to the Trump administration’s order, Consumers Energy had received regulatory approval to close Campbell and replace the plant’s output with clean, renewable sources and a new gas power plant.
In April, ahead of the first Trump administration extension, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which oversees the energy grid Campbell provides power to, came out with a report showing the grid has more than enough energy to account for Campbell’s retirement.
Coal plants are among the dirtiest and most dangerous polluters. They pose grave risks to both human health and the environment, and are more expensive to build, maintain and operate than clean energy sources such as wind and solar.
A link to the official Department of Energy order can be found here.