As of May 23, 2025, the US Department of Energy (DOE) directed Consumers Energy to delay the shutdown of a 1,560-MW coal-fired power plant in Michigan by about 3 months, citing concerns of possible power outages in the Midcontinent region this summer. [1] To determine that the J.H. Campbell power plant in West Olive, Michigan should run until August 21 rather than May 31, DOE referenced a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) report that found that the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) faces an elevated risk of power outages during high demand and lower power output periods of the summer. [2] The NERC report found that MISO, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), ISO New England, and the Southwest Power Pool were at elevated risks of not having enough power supplies during the peak demand periods. Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited a MISO report to explain that while the results demonstrated sufficient capacity, the summer months reflected the highest risk and a tighter supply-demand balance, suggesting the need to increase capacity. Wright ordered MISO to dispatch the Campbell plant economically to minimize ratepayer costs and DOE issued the emergency order without a request from the plant owner, transmission provider, or grid operator.
[2] https://cdn.misoenergy.org/2025%20PRA%20Results%20Posting%2020250428694160.pdf