The Department of Energy has extended the life of the J.H. Campbell coal plant in Michigan for a second time.
The order marks the second extension of life for the coal plant. In May, the department ordered J.H. Campbell power plant to remain open until Aug. 21. The DOE said it would extend the plant’s life to meet high energy demands in the region during the summer season.
The department said on Thursday that the plant has proven critical to meeting periods of high energy demand and low levels of intermittent energy production.
“The United States continues to face an energy emergency, with some regions experiencing more capacity constraints than others,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a press release. “With electricity demand increasing, we must put an end to the dangerous energy subtraction policies embraced by politicians for too long.”
“This order will help ensure millions of Americans can continue to access affordable, reliable, and secure baseload power regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining,” Wright added.
Since the plant reopened, Consumers Energy has spent $29 million over five weeks to maintain its operation after its planned retirement, E&E News reported.
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The utility asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for reimbursements. The commission last Friday granted Consumers Energy recovery costs for complying with DOE orders.
The move by the DOE is part of the Trump administration’s effort to boost the fossil fuel industry to lower energy costs and meet high energy demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, and electrification. Electricity prices rose by 5.5% for the year ending July, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index.
