The J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Ottawa County’s Port Sheldon Township was scheduled to be decommissioned May 31st, but since then the Trump Administration has twice ordered Consumers Energy to keep the plant operable citing grid reliability issues.
Consumers President and CEO Garrick Rochow stated during a third-quarter earnings call Thursday that they will continue consenting with the U.S. Department of Energy’s order.
“We continue to see orders from the Department of Energy through the Federal Power Act. We expect those to continue for the long-term and we’re prepared to continue to operate the plant and comply with those orders.”
According to executives, customers across 10 Midwest states will cover costs associated with keeping the plant open, and the federal government would help Consumers in recovering those costs. Executive VP and CFO of Consumers Reji Hayes:
“We would refund Michigan customers for their share that they’ve already contributed, and so I think it’s important to note that we are trying our best to make sure that Michigan customers are held harmless as we continue to operate the plant to the benefit of the region.”
So far, the utility has spent $80 million in net costs keeping the plant operational.
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