A federal appeals court in the District of Columbia struck down the Trump administration's effort to keep a Michigan coal plant open past its retirement date. The court said the Department of Energy "exceeded its statutory authority" in keeping the JH Campbell power plant open after owner Consumers Energy planned to close it and switch to natural gas.

Attorneys-general from Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois, plus environmental groups, brought the challenge. Judge Cornelia Pillard said the administration misapplied rules on federal grid intervention, which would "empower it to pick its preferred power sources in Michigan — or, presumably, any other state." The administration has used emergency orders under the Federal Power Act to keep seven plants open, citing grid reliability.

Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has pushed wide-ranging measures to prop up coal. The May 2025 order was renewed four times in 90-day increments. The ruling could provide a basis for other challenges. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the extensions have cost $259mn. Ted Kelly of EDF said the actions made Midwestern families "wastefully pay hundreds of millions of dollars."

Consumers Energy said it is reviewing the ruling but will comply with the current 90-day order. The Energy Department said its orders "prevented blackouts and likely saved hundreds of lives."