Federal Court Blocks Trump’s Plan to Keep Michigan Coal Plant Open

A federal court ruled against the Trump administration's order to keep a Michigan coal plant open, calling it an unlawful political stunt.

Editorial Desk

September 12, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A federal court has ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its authority by forcing a Michigan coal-fired power plant to remain operational past its scheduled retirement date.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with environmental groups and three states—Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota—in their challenge to the Energy Department’s emergency order. The court found that the use of emergency powers under the Federal Power Act was not justified in this case.

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The decision marks a significant setback for the Trump administration, which had argued that the J.H. Campbell Generating Plant was essential for maintaining electricity reliability in the region. However, the court emphasized that emergency measures should be used only in true last-resort situations, not as a means to bypass legal requirements.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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