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Last Update: 10/26/2026 at 11:33 PM EST
Federal Coal Plant Orders
Coverage from Atmos, Wispolitics, and others
The federal government’s coal-support strategy combines emergency orders under Federal Power Act Section 202(c) with Defense Production Act funding and other measures intended to keep aging plants operating or improve their facilities.
Actions affecting plants such as Michigan’s J.H. Campbell, Indiana’s Schahfer Generating Station, and Florida’s Stanton Energy Center have interrupted planned retirements and placed reliability claims at the center of the debate. Supporters cite electricity demand, extreme weather, national security, and grid resilience; critics question whether those conditions constitute legal emergencies and warn of higher costs, pollution, and interference with state and utility planning. States and environmental groups have challenged the policy in court.
Looking Back
251 Day Timeline
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All Articles21 articles
Important
In the 2020s, the Trump administration extended coal plant operations using emergency Federal Power Act authority, while Washington and Colorado sued in response.
3/25/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully extended Midwest coal plant operations, prompting Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to support retirements and clean-energy investments.
9/16/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Trump EPA, in a 2020s proposal affecting coal plants in Indiana, Wyoming, and Illinois, seeks to extend cleanup deadlines for leaking unlined coal ash dumps to support grid reliability amid AI-driven power demand.
1/9/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Trump administration awarded federal grants to at least 12 coal plants, extending TVA operations at Cumberland after board changes and accepting a $46 million pledge.
6/18/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Trump would use Defense Production Act authorities and Department of Energy grants to allocate over $700 million for U.S. coal plant upgrades, restarts, and a California export terminal.
6/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Trump administration emergency orders in 2024 block coal plant closures in multiple states, delaying retirements and raising air-pollution and climate-goal concerns.
4/9/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Donald Trump used the Defense Production Act to announce 700 million dollars in coal plant grants in Oakland, California, and multiple U.S. states in June 2026.
6/7/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Interesting
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on September 11, 2026, in Washington, D.C., that the Department of Energy unlawfully used emergency authority to keep Consumers Energy's Michigan coal plant operating.
9/12/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The D.C. Circuit Court ruled Friday that the Energy Department improperly used emergency powers to keep Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell coal plant operating in West Olive, Michigan.
9/11/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Donald Trump said the 1950 Defense Production Act will fund coal plant refurbishment and exports after EPA reversed a regional haze rule affecting a Wyoming coal closure.
6/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
A federal appeals court recently blocked Trump administration orders requiring aging coal plants in Michigan and Indiana to remain online, supporting Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers's clean-energy position.
9/16/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Colorado utilities kept coal plants running past retirement dates in 2024-2025 due to federal orders and grid constraints, raising health risks and undercutting renewable electricity goals.
6/16/2026 • Climate Science & Impacts • General
In the United States, emergency actions by the Trump administration are keeping five coal plants open, potentially increasing electricity costs and air-pollution impacts while targeting blackout prevention during extreme winter storms.
4/9/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday overturned a Department of Energy order keeping Michigan's J.H. Campbell coal plant operating beyond its planned 2025 retirement.
9/11/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
U.S. Department of Energy invoked Federal Power Act Section 202(c) in May 2025 to keep the JH Campbell coal plant and other facilities operating, as legal challenges arise in the D.C. Circuit.
4/9/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Chris Wright and a Trump administration emergency order halted Stanton coal shutdown in Orlando, Florida from June 4 to Sept. 1 while reliability and demand risks were cited.
6/8/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Donald Trump announced 700m dollars in Defense Production Act grants for US coal plants on Thursday, including a new export terminal in Oakland, California.
6/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Donald Trump said Defense Production Act funding will support upgrades at U.S. coal plants and the West Gateway terminal in Oakland for coal exports to Asia.
6/5/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Additional
The Trump administration announced Defense Production Act Title III funding for new and modernized U.S. coal plants, plus an Oakland coal export terminal, in 2025.
6/8/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Trump administration will announce over $700 million in federal funding for coal plants and CCUS-related projects to supply data centers, using Defense Production Act authority and 2021 infrastructure law money.
6/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard challenges to Department of Energy emergency orders keeping the J.H. Campbell coal plant operating in West Olive, Michigan, as reliability authority and emergency standards are debated.
5/15/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General