Trump has forced outdated, inefficient coal plant to stay open, denied urgent emergency relief, and cut renewable energy support and projects, leading to increased energy costs for consumers
LANSING, Mich. (March 4, 2026) — Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, chaired by Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), held a hearing to examine how skyrocketing energy costs facing Michigan families are being caused by the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle clean, efficient, and affordable energy plans. Attorney General Dana Nessel and other energy policy leaders shared testimony on the harmful — and costly — consequences resulting from the extended operation of the J.H. Campbell coal plant, the denial of federal emergency aid following severe ice storms in northern Michigan, and the financial impacts from the cancelation of several clean energy projects under the so-called “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” (OBBA).
“As the cost of living continues to rise, our residents need real relief on their monthly expenses, not performative energy decisions that leave them footing the bill,” said Sen. McCann. “All the while, the Trump administration is taking this opportunity to profit, while people nationwide continue to suffer. The belief that Michigan ratepayers deserve affordable energy plans or utility aid in times of emergency shouldn’t be an outlandish or political statement. It also shouldn’t be something that requires us to spend our time debating. But as long as current leadership in Washington keeps making bad decisions that increase costs and harm consumers, I will keep using this committee and state policy to fight back.”
Not only is burning coal costly to our environment, but it is also expensive to maintain. Coal generation in 2024 cost $6.1 billion more than it did in 2021. In her testimony, Attorney General Nessel detailed how the Trump administration’s involvement in dissolving clean, efficient energy plans is raising prices for Michigan ratepayers, such as through the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s (DOE) continued orders to keep the J.H. Campbell coal plant operational, despite its original plans to close in May of last year. While the retirement of the Campbell plant was slated to save Michigan ratepayers nearly $600 million, recent financial filings from Consumers Energy show that prolonging its operation has cost over $135 million through December of last year — more than $600,000 a day.
“Whether you rent a home, own a small business, or run a large corporation, rising energy costs harm everyone,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “I’d like to thank Chair McCann and the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment for inviting me to speak today on the many federal actions my Department has engaged in to protect Michigan’s ratepayers and, in turn, ensure we are investing in clean, renewable energy sources.”
Across the board, Michigan residents are feeling financial pressure from Washington Republicans’ energy policies. Since January 2025, utility costs have increased by 13% — more than four times the rate of inflation. Under the OBBA, Michigan energy projects were canceled or postponed, resulting in lost jobs and investments. Michigan families have been particularly burdened. The Trump administration’s OBBA has directly raised costs for Michigan households and will continue to spike prices.
“Generating electricity with coal is expensive and has been getting more expensive every year,” said Michelle Solomon, Electricity Manager at Energy Innovation. “Nationally, coal power’s cost increased 28% between 2021 and 2024, nearly double inflation during the same period, putting inflationary pressure on U.S. electricity prices. In Michigan specifically, our research shows the cost of coal power increased by about $10/MWh, or 29% — costs that were passed directly onto consumer bills.”
Amid cost increases from federal energy policies, Michigan residents are also paying the price of one of the most severe ice storms in state history. Northern Michigan residents are still seeking needed emergency utility aid from grid damage sustained in last spring’s historic ice storm. The three-day storm coated electric and fiber infrastructure with up to 1.5 inches of ice, resulting in over 4,300 miles of grid damage and left 200,000 residents experiencing outages. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged the Trump administration to provide utility relief, but they denied the request, calling the needs “unwarranted.” And now, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op ratepayers are paying nearly $20 more on their monthly bill to recoup costs because of the federal government’s deliberate inaction.
“Last year’s historic ice storm left northern Michigan families in the dark for days,” said Ben Poulson, State Government Affairs Director at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Climate change is driving more costly storms. Federal investment in clean energy and resilient, distributed infrastructure is critical to protect communities, reduce costs, and keep the lights on.”
This committee hearing follows a slew of actions taken by Michigan Senate Democrats to safeguard our state and residents from the dangerous, unprecedented cuts and decisions happening in the federal government.
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