Ten public interest groups are contesting the U.S. Department of Energy’s decision to extend the operating life of the J.H. Campbell power plant. Their challenge focuses on an order mandating the plant’s continued operation, raising objections related to financial burdens and potential environmental consequences. Originally scheduled for retirement in 2021, with a portion slated to remain active until 2040, the facility’s future has become a point of contention.

Consumers Energy announced the early retirement plan as part of its Clean Energy Plan, a strategy aiming to phase out coal as an energy source by 2025. This plan emerged in response to state legislation requiring Michigan to derive all its energy from clean sources by 2040. The plant, which commenced operations in 1962 and currently occupies a 2,000-acre site, is capable of generating approximately 1,500 megawatts of electricity.

The Department of Energy’s order is anticipated to place a considerable financial strain on Consumers Energy. This is largely due to the company’s previous efforts to reduce investments in the plant over the last four years. Notably, the order does not include any federal funding to support the plant’s operation.

A campaign to “Save the Campbell” began shortly after Consumers Energy announced the early retirement in 2021. Ottawa County Commissioner Allison Miedema has asserted that the initial decision to retire the plant was voluntary. Demonstrating local support, Ottawa County commissioners formally appealed to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to reconsider the shutdown plans, though they ultimately chose not to pursue legal action.

The planned retirement and subsequent restoration of the plant site, originally slated to begin later this year, was expected to continue until 2030. Restoration efforts would have included the removal of coal residuals, backfilling with clean fill, ash remediation, removal of a warm water discharge pipe, and relocation of bird habitats.