DOE Issues Emergency Order 202-26-39 Directing Operation of Michigan Campbell Power Plant

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency Order No. 202-26-39 under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, directing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) to ensure the 1,440-megawatt J.H. Campbell Generating Complex in Ottawa County, Michigan, remains available to generate electricity through November 14, 2026.

Securing Regional Voltage Stability for Midwest Industrial Grids

The emergency directive responds to transmission capacity constraints identified by MISO and Consumers Energy following the planned retirement transition of the facility. DOE electrical engineers determined that temporarily maintaining Campbell's baseload turbine operations is necessary to avoid localized low-voltage conditions and potential rolling outages across Western Michigan during late-summer peak manufacturing loads.

DOE officials stated that emergency Section 202(c) orders are narrowly targeted bridge measures designed to protect regional grid stability while long-term transmission and clean battery infrastructure projects complete construction.

MISO Grid Operators and Environmental Perspectives

MISO dispatchers confirmed that the emergency order provides essential spinning reserves to balance regional power transfers from Indiana and Illinois.

Michigan clean energy advocates called for accelerating regional 345-kV transmission line upgrades to permanently transition off coal baseload generation.

Order Duration

Emergency Order No. 202-26-39 remains active through November 14, 2026.