WASHINGTON (WHTC-AM/FM, Feb. 19, 2026) – The lone coal-fired power plant in West Michigan continues to operate.
Yesterday, President Trump signed the fourth emergency order to keep the JH Campbell facility operating in Port Sheldon Township, this time through May 18th. Consumers Energy wanted to close the plant down last May as part of following Governor Whitmer’s long-term green energy strategy, but the federal emergency order says a shortage of electric energy exists in the Midwest and the plant is still needed.
The extension didn’t come as a surprise to Holland BPW General Manager Dave Koster, who expects more such extensions through the middle of next year. Although the pending restart of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert, along with more investments in renewable energy sources, would help, Koster feels the loss of the Campbell Plant would greatly affect the power grid in the region.
Consumers Energy has claimed the daily cost of keeping the plant open is $615,000, with officials of the Jackson-based utility hoping to pass those costs to customers in Michigan and 10 other states.
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