Michigan families may face higher energy bills as aging coal plants stay open, raising concerns among local advocates about the impact on struggling households.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan families are being warned of higher energy bills as a federal order keeps aging coal plants open, including the J.H. Campbell plant in Ottawa County.
A federal order is keeping plants like the J.H. Campbell facility running months past their planned shutdowns.
The Department of Energy issued the order to keep it operating, a move, climate advocate Sergio Cira-Reyes with the Urban Core Collective said, is already driving up costs.
“It’s the worst possible time for us to keep coal plants open that are going to be more costly for our families,” said Cira-Reyes. “… Even Consumers Energy, you know, they had agreed to close it and they would have planned for closing it. And so to this day, the plant remains open,” said Cira-Reyes.
He said Consumers Energy is following the federal order, but each week the plant stays open adds millions that could hit consumers’ bills.
“Families are struggling, you know, there’s inflation which is rampant. People are struggling to pay their bills. Businesses are struggling also,” said Cira-Reyes. “… If we keep coal plants open, they’re more expensive to operate. They’re aging now and also it’s not what the community wants,” said Cira-Reyes.
In a June SEC Consumers Energy Filing, it said keeping the J.H. Campbell plant running under a federal order cost the company $29 million between May and June.
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to Consumers Energy for comment. In a statement, spokesperson Brian M. Wheeler said:
“Consumers Energy disclosed in a regulatory filing this summer the net financial impact to keep the Campbell plant open was $29 million from May 23 through June. Consistent with a prior federal order, costs to operate the Campbell plant will be shared by customers across the Midwest electric grid region – not borne solely by Consumers Energy customers. We will continue to comply with federal orders, and we will file a request later this year to recover other costs. We have worked closely with the Midwest grid operator as the plant generates electricity.”
Cira-Reyes said he’s concerned about the potential cost to consumers. His team is challenging the order and urging Michigan leaders to shift toward lower-cost renewable energy.
“There’s other sources of energy that are available now, like wind and solar are good examples. They’re viable, they’re they’re more cost effective. And also they would create a shift to an economy that we can all benefit from,” said Cira-Reyes.
He’s also urging residents to reach out to state and local representatives, asking them to stop future rate hikes and protect affordable energy.
“I encourage them to, you know, connect with their elected officials. Also, connect with us. We want to hear from people about their experience. We submit their comments to the Michigan Public Service Commission,” said Cira-Reyes.
The DOE said the order to keep the plant open ensures reliability.