J. H. Campbell Generating Plant

J. H. Campbell Generating Plant is a 1,420 MW,^[4] three-unit coal-fired generating plant in West Olive, Michigan which uses sub-bituminous coal.^[5][6] It is owned and operated by Consumers Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy.

J. H. Campbell Generating Plant
Country	United States
Location	West Olive, Michigan
Coordinates	42°54′43.5″N 86°12′08.3″W
Status	Operational
Commission date	Unit 1:1962 Unit 2:1967 Unit 3:1980
Decommission date	May 2025 [1] or August 2025[2]
Owner	Consumers Energy
Operator	Consumers Energy
Thermal power station
Primary fuel	Subbituminous Coal
Turbine technology	Steam turbine
Power generation
Units operational	1 X 265 MW 1 X 385 MW 1 X 770 MW
Nameplate capacity	1,420 MW
Annual net output	8,402 Gwh (2019)[3]

History

The plant began operating in 1962.^[7] As of 2020, the plant had three units: unit 1 produces 265 MW, unit 2 produces 385 MW, and unit 3 produces 848 MW.^[8]

All units were scheduled to be closed in May 2025 as per CMS Energy's plan to eliminate coal use by 2040.^[9][10][11] Consumers Energy estimated that the closure would save ratepayers $600 million by 2040.^[7] However, on May 23, 2025, the US Department of Energy ordered the plant to stay open "at least until late August [2025], citing possible electricity shortfalls in the central U.S."^[2] Grid operator Midcontinent Independent System Operator stated, however, that it had "adequate resources to meet peak demand" during the summer of 2025 without the plant.^[7] The Trump administration intervened again in August 2025 to extend the operation of the plant until at least November 2025, imposing costs of $1 million per day on ratepayers during the extended operating period.^[7]

Environmental impact

In 2018, the plant released 7,917,510 tons of CO₂, 4,547 tons of SO₂, and 2,572 tons of NO_x.^[12]

There are three ponds at the plant which are used to store coal ash. Environmental groups like the Michigan Environmental Council claim that heavy metals and other residuals from these ponds have been leaking into groundwater. In response, CMS Energy is now emptying these ponds and transferring the coal ash to landfills.^[13]

See also

• Coal-fired Power plant
• Coal Mining in the United States
• Coal Power in the United States
• Electricity Sector of the United States
• Energy in the United States
• List of coal-fired power stations in the United States
• List of natural gas-fired power stations in the United States
• List of power stations in Michigan
• List of power stations in the United States

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