Trump administration orders Michigan coal plant to remain open

DETROIT — The U.S. Energy Department ordered a Michigan coal-fired energy plant to stay open, a minimum of till late August, citing potential electrical energy shortfalls within the central U.S.

State regulators instantly fired again, saying it is pointless to maintain Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell plant open. It was supposed to shut May 31.

“We currently produce more energy in Michigan than needed. As a result, there is no existing energy emergency in either Michigan or MISO,” stated Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission.

MISO stands for Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which manages the circulation of electrical energy in 15 U.S. states and Manitoba in Canada.

MISO’s forecast says there must be sufficient electrical energy within the area this summer season although “there’s the potential for elevated threat throughout excessive climate.”

Consumers Energy is planning to shut Campbell as a part of a transition to cleaner vitality. The energy plant opened in 1962 in western Michigan’s Ottawa County, close to Lake Michigan. It can generate as much as 1,450 megawatts of electrical energy to serve as much as 1 million individuals, the utility stated.

“MISO and Consumers Energy shall take all measures necessary to ensure that the Campbell Plant is available to operate,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated Friday.

The utility stated it’ll adjust to the order, which expires Aug. 21.

“Yes, the plant will keep on and produce electrical energy,” spokesperson Brian Wheeler stated Tuesday.

An environmental group, the Sierra Club, panned the federal government order.

“Coal is expensive, outdated and deadly. … Consumers Energy is right to finally retire this hugely expensive plant that is costing Michiganders their lives,” lawyer Greg Wannier stated, referring to the well being results of coal emissions.

This article was generated from an automatic information company feed with out modifications to textual content.