A recent order from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has mandated that the Campbell Plant, a coal-fired power plant located in Michigan, remain operational for 90 days. This emergency action was prompted by concerns regarding the stability and reliability of the regional power grid. Consequently, Consumers Energy, the plant’s owner, has petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve cost recovery for maintaining operations.

The central point of contention revolves around the responsibility for covering these expenses. Consumers Energy is seeking FERC approval to recover the costs, potentially by distributing them among a larger consumer base across multiple MISO zones. This proposal has drawn opposition from various parties, including other utilities, consumer advocacy groups, and state authorities, who argue that customers outside the directly affected area should not be burdened with the financial responsibility.

Several stakeholders have voiced their perspectives. Great River Energy suggests that costs should be confined to MISO Zone 7, the specific region in Michigan where the Campbell Plant is situated, contending that customers in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin receive no direct benefit from the plant’s continued operation. Similarly, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) opposes broad cost allocation, emphasizing the need for a clear link between the plant’s operation and tangible benefits to customers and regions. They are requesting more detailed cost-benefit analysis and a structured stakeholder process. A coalition representing MISO transmission customers proposes a MISO-led initiative to establish a fair cost recovery approach, citing a similar effort already underway in the PJM Interconnection region. Other MISO Transmission Customers are pushing for a comprehensive examination of the underlying policy, technical, and factual aspects contributing to the costs.

A common theme emerging from these discussions is the preference for a transparent and inclusive stakeholder process to ensure a just and reasonable method for cost recovery. There’s substantial resistance to spreading the costs across the entire MISO region. Stakeholders are collectively calling for increased transparency and comprehensive data from Consumers Energy to fully assess the costs and benefits associated with keeping the Campbell Plant online.