CAC: Trump Administration Decision Driving Up Prices And Jeopardizing The Health Of Michiganders To Prop Up Coal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2025
CONTACT: Gabrielle Levy, Glevy@cacampaign.org, 562-673-6974
CAC: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DECISION DRIVING UP PRICES AND JEOPARDIZING THE HEALTH OF MICHIGANDERS TO PROP UP COAL
WASHINGTON – Today, Trump‘s Department of Energy extended an order to keep the Campbell Coal Plant in Ottawa County, Michigan – one of the state’s worst polluters that was scheduled to close this year – open until February 17th, 2025, at a cost to ratepayers of approximately $615,000 per day. This decision is widely opposed by Michigan’s Public Service Commission, ratepayers and consumer groups, state officials, and health experts. Consumers Energy, which operates the plant, supported its retirement. Margie Alt, Director of the Climate Action Campaign (CAC), issued the following statement:
“The Trump administration, led by DOE Secretary Chris Wright, is ignoring science, consumers, and regulators, and instead is listening to their Big Coal and other polluter buddies by strong-arming Consumers Energy into keeping the J.H. Campbell power plant running past its planned 2025 retirement.
Michigan’s Public Service Commission, grid experts, and the utility all agree it’s time for Campbell to go. Dozens of state and national groups agree the plant needs to close on its scheduled timeline. Keeping Campbell open will cost consumers across 11 states millions and dump tons more pollution into our air, devastating our health and driving the climate crisis.
Trump and Secretary Wright may like to talk about helping working people, but their actions tell the opposite story – jacking up bills and putting Michiganders’ health on the line just to coddle Big Polluters and prop up a zombie coal plant no one wants. Shameful.”
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About the Climate Action Campaign
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition driving ambitious, durable, equitable federal action to tackle the climate crisis. By cutting carbon pollution and accelerating the transition to clean energy, we will improve public health and create a more resilient economy and a more sustainable future for all.
