Nearly a year after President Trump directed five aging coal plants to stay online under an alleged “energy emergency,” utilities have shouldered hefty bills. The J.H. Campbell plant in West Olive, Michigan, alone logged $180 million in expenses since May, while the Department of Energy repeatedly renewed 90‑day stay‑open orders despite one unit never burning coal.

The Energy Department’s strategy has already cost ratepayers hundreds of millions. TransAlta’s Centralia facility in Washington reported nearly $20 million in costs over the first quarter of the order, yet it has not fired a ton of coal. Consumers Energy, CenterPoint and Northern Indiana Public Service all cite required investments ranging from $16 million to over $100 million to keep units operational.

Lawmakers and nine environmental nonprofits from Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois claim the orders lack a real emergency and exceed statutory authority. Between June and December 2025 the plants emitted 36 pounds of mercury, driving a 9 percent rise in national coal‑related mercury releases. The D.C. Circuit hearing could compel utilities to write off these costs and speed up the retirement of more than 8 GW of coal capacity.