Federal court rejects Trump order keeping Michigan coal plant open
PUBLISHED Sep 11, 2026, 1:25 PM ET
A federal appeals court ruled that the Department of Energy exceeded its statutory authority by forcing Michigan's aging J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant to remain operational past its scheduled retirement date. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with three states and environmental groups, concluding that the administration failed to demonstrate a legitimate emergency under Section 202 of the Federal Power Act. Judge Cornelia Pillard wrote for the unanimous panel that emergency provisions are designed as a narrow backstop rather than a mechanism to disrupt planned phase-outs. The ruling addresses one of several administrative actions seeking to keep legacy fossil fuel plants online to secure grid reliability. Critics argue these emergency directives inflate consumer utility bills and increase environmental pollution. Keeping the Michigan facility operating past its retirement incurred millions of dollars in expenses during 2025. Legal analysts expect the decision to impact ongoing federal challenges regarding grid mandates.
By Ayesha A. | JQJO News
- Articles Published:
- 54
- Right Leaning:
- 4
- Left Leaning:
- 9
- Neutral:
- 41
- Distribution:
- Left 17%, Center 76%, Right 7%
Left: Highlighted environmental damage, consumer costs, and executive overreach risks. Center: Focused strictly on legal interpretations and judicial limitations of authority. Right: Emphasized grid reliability concerns and executive necessity for power stability.
Federal court rejects Trump order keeping Michigan coal plant open on September 11 2026 https://apnews.com/article/michigan-coal-plant-trump-energy-department-court-e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb924
Coverage of Story:
From Left
Trump Administration Loses First Court Case Challenging DOE Orders For Coal Plants
Earthjustice Sierra Club Environmental Defense Fund New York Times Washington Post NPR Inside Climate News Time San Francisco ChronicleFrom Center
Federal court rejects Trump order keeping Michigan coal plant open
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Federal Judges Rule Against DOE Directive Keeping Coal Facility Open
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