WEST OLIVE, Mich. (WOOD)  — An emergency order from the U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will keep the Consumers Energy J.H. Campbell Plant open, after the coal powered plant was previously scheduled to shut down at the end of May.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced the West Olive plant would remain open on Friday. It said the plant remaining online will help reduce the risk of blackouts, and will address security issues on the Midwestern grid.

The department says that the power generation availability will ensure that there will not be a dip below 2024 capacity levels. 

Consumers Energy to give update on coal plant closure

The plant was originally set to close on May 31, which would have been 15 years before its lifespan was scheduled to end.