Invoking an emergency order, the Donald Trump administration attempted to keep the coal-fired J.H. Campbell power plant open despite its slated retirement. A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals unanimously vacated the orders Friday, saying the Department of Energy has no authority to supersede a state-approved closure of a power plant.

The opinion sided with Michigan, two other states, and a group of environmentalist groups that supported the closure of the 64-year-old power plant, which was slated to close May 31, 2025, as part of Consumers Energy’s plan to reduce its carbon emissions.

The Trump administration moved to keep the plant in operation, filing six emergency orders, before the court ruled it had overstepped its authority. The state of Michigan sued to stop this effort, saying that the plan to operate the plant was economically unfeasible.

Whether Consumers will continue with the plan to shut down the plant remains to be seen. The utility is reportedly reviewing its options.

Consumers plans to replace the lost generation from Campbell with gas-fired power plants and other facilities.

The Trump administration and the DOE have both sought to prevent retirements of some fossil-fired power plants slated for closure as part of its strategy to keep energy affordable in the face of increasing energy demand. These efforts rely on the authority of the Federal Power Act, which courts have ruled is not within the law.

Emergency extensions of power plant operations are occasionally used, primarily for short periods, and for emergencies such as hurricanes and heat waves.