A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that the Trump administration overstepped its authority by forcing the J.H. Campbell Generating Plant in Michigan to remain operational beyond its scheduled retirement date. The decision was made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright had invoked emergency powers to keep the 64‑year‑old coal‑fired plant running, citing the need to guarantee reliable electricity in the region. The plant was originally slated to retire in May 2025.
Environmental groups and the states of Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota filed suit to overturn the orders. The court found no legitimate emergency under federal law, describing the emergency directive provision as a narrow, last‑resort backstop.
Financial filings show that keeping the plant online has cost approximately $259 million to date, a burden critics say falls on Midwest households and businesses. Opponents also argue the continued operation contributes to air and water pollution and increases utility bills.
Ted Kelly of the Environmental Defense Fund and Sierra Club lawyer Sanjay Narayan praised the ruling as a win for families and a rejection of the administration’s campaign to keep aging, polluting coal plants online. The Energy Department has not yet responded to requests for comment.
