Aging michigan coal plant racks up $113 million bill for midwestern ratepayers despite trump administration extension

The Trump administration’s decision to keep Michigan’s JH Campbell coal-fired power plant running has come with a hefty price tag—$113 million so far—that’s being shouldered by electricity ratepayers across the Midwest, according to new estimates from the plant’s operator and federal regulators.

The aging facility in western Michigan has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups and energy experts who argue it’s both economically wasteful and environmentally harmful. Critics point to the plant’s high operating costs and significant emissions of toxic pollutants as compelling reasons to shut it down. The facility was originally slated for closure, with energy analysts deeming it unnecessary for meeting regional electricity demands.

Despite mounting costs and environmental concerns, the U.S. Department of Energy doubled down on its support last week, issuing another 90-day order to keep the plant operational. This latest extension continues a pattern of federal intervention to prop up coal-fired power generation, even when market forces and environmental considerations point toward retirement.

The financial burden falls primarily on ratepayers throughout the Midwest electrical grid, who must absorb the additional costs through their utility bills. Energy policy experts note that this situation highlights the tension between federal energy policy and market-driven decisions about which power plants remain economically viable. As the debate continues, the JH Campbell plant remains a flashpoint in broader discussions about America’s energy future and the role of coal in the nation’s electricity mix.