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DOE Acts to Ensure Key Coal-fired Power Plants Are Available in MISO to Supply Peak Summer Demands

LCG, May 18, 2026--The U.S. Secretary of Energy today issued an emergency order to address critical grid reliability issues in the Midwest anticipated this summer. The order is in effect beginning on May 19, 2026, through August 16, 2026. The emergency order directs the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), in coordination with Consumers Energy, to ensure that the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant (Campbell Plant) in West Olive, Michigan shall take all steps necessary to remain available to operate and to minimize costs for the region.

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EPA Announces Proposed Rule Action to Revise ELG's and Support Reliable, Affordable Coal-fired Power Plants

LCG, May 14, 2026--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is proposing a rule to revise wastewater limits, known as effluent limitations guidelines (ELG), for steam electric power plants that will help improve grid reliability and lower electricity prices while continuing to support clean and safe water resources. If finalized, the EPA's proposal is estimated to reduce electricity generation costs by as much as $1.1 billion annually, which could provide cost-savings to American consumers.

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Industry News

MISO Requests FERC Assistance for Grid Reliability in Response to EPA Rules

LCG, December 1, 2011--The Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (?MISO?) Vice President of Transmission Asset Management yesterday warned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that the proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air emission rules pose threats to power reliability.

In comments submitted for FERC's technical conference this week on reliability risks related to compliance with new EPA air emissions regulations, the Vice President stated that proposed regulations will require simultaneous generator outages that may jeopardize electric reliability in the Midwest.

The concerns focus on the 2014/2015 compliance deadline for the EPA's proposed mercury rule, which provides limited time for the installation of new emission control equipment or capacity replacement. To comply, generation owners must remove units from service simultaneously, which will provide inadequate generation resources to sustain reliable electricity supply. "As a result, 62,000 MW of coal units could potentially be unavailable for reliability purposes - all at the same time."

The MISO submittal also stated a lack of confidence that there will be sufficient allowances available via the CSAPR allowance trading, which may result in decisions to limit operations by some of the generation fleet. "This may result in potential transmission reliability concerns that would normally be mitigated through market
redispatch that may no longer be available if unit owners adjust their bidding strategies or availability to meet CSAPR limitations." Other concerns include accelerated unit retirements, coupled with delays in transmission improvements, could result in inadequate grid reliability.

In a separate filed response to questions from FERC Commissioner Philip D. Moeller, the MISO requested the Commission to direct regional transmission organizations to work together to ensure that physically available transfer capability across regions is accessible to those who need and can provide excess power. The filing states, "The pending EPA regulations and potential impact on generator operations highlights the need for coordinated planning between generator owners and market transmission providers."
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