Court blocks Trump order to keep coal plant open
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The U.S. District Circuit Court for the District of Columbia sided with the Sierra Club and the State of Michigan, overturning a Department of Energy order that prevented the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan from closing.
In May 2025, the Department of Energy issued an “emergency order” to delay the plant’s scheduled retirement, but the court found no actual energy emergency justified the decision.
Sierra Club and Earthjustice argued the order improperly used the Federal Power Act and successfully challenged it in court. Keeping the J.H. Campbell plant operational has cost families in the Midwest $600,000 each day. The Sierra Club reports that similar orders from the administration have cost Americans over $546 million to date. By prolonging the plant’s operation, the administration also delayed the development of new clean energy projects. The Sierra Club estimates the J.H.
Campbell plant causes approximately 66 deaths annually due to pollution. Sanjay Narayan of the Sierra Club stated the ruling represents a victory for Midwest families and vowed to continue challenging similar actions by the Department of Energy. Earthjustice Attorney Michael Lenoff added the court rebuked the Trump administration’s misuse of emergency powers.
