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HR 219

A Resolution designating July 17, 2025, as "100th anniversary of American Legion Baseball Day" in Pennsylvania.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Brennan and 26 co-sponsors

HR-219 urges DOE to stop extending emergency orders that keep J.H. Campbell plant running, citing higher costs, health harms, and $600M in savings from decommissioning by 2040.

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Bill Summary · HR 219

Summary — HR 219

Title: A resolution urging the federal government to not extend the emergency order preventing the planned closure of the J.H. Campbell Power Plant
Classification: House resolution (non‑binding)
Introduced: January 7, 2025 (status: referred to Committee on Government Operations)

Purpose / Intent

The resolution urges the federal government (specifically the U.S. Department of Energy) not to further extend an emergency order that has compelled continued operation of the J.H. Campbell coal‑fired power plant in West Olive, Michigan. It expresses the legislature’s view that the emergency orders conflict with regional reliability determinations and Consumers Energy’s planned coal‑to‑retirement schedule, impose financial costs on ratepayers, and cause significant environmental and public‑health harms.

Key factual findings cited in the resolution

  • In March 2022, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) approved suspending three generating units at J.H. Campbell, with suspensions to occur by June 1, 2025 and cessation of coal combustion by December 31, 2028; MISO projected adequate energy supply without the plant.
  • May 23, 2025 — DOE issued Emergency Order No. 202‑25‑3 directing MISO to keep the plant operating until August 21, 2025, citing an alleged energy emergency.
  • August 21, 2025 — DOE issued Order No. 202‑25‑7 extending the effect of the prior order to November 19, 2025.
  • Financial impacts: Consumers Energy and its ratepayers incurred $29 million in additional costs in the first 38 days of continued operation; decommissioning was estimated to save ratepayers $600 million by 2040.
  • Environmental/health impacts cited: annual emissions of nearly 9 million tons of CO2; millions of pounds of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulates; estimated annual health impacts valued at $389–$879 million; roughly 100,000 pounds per year of water‑polluting substances, including ~10,000 pounds of toxic metals (e.g., arsenic); a monitoring well recorded arsenic at 5.7× the federal drinking‑water limit in 2017.
  • Legal challenges to DOE’s orders have been filed, arguing the orders are illegal and arbitrary.

Primary provision / Action requested

  • The resolution formally urges the federal government to refrain from further extending Emergency Order No. 202‑25‑3 (and related extensions) that prevented the planned closure of the J.H. Campbell Power Plant.
  • It directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of Energy and to Michigan’s congressional delegation.

Who would be affected / potential impacts

  • Consumers Energy and its ratepayers (financial effects from continued operation vs. projected savings from decommissioning).
  • Residents and communities near the J.H. Campbell plant (public‑health and environmental consequences cited).
  • Federal entities (DOE) and regional grid operator (MISO) — the resolution is a request/statement of position, not a binding change to DOE authority or MISO operations.
  • Pending litigation parties contesting DOE’s emergency orders.

Procedural / Legal Status

  • HR 219 is a non‑binding legislative resolution expressing the House’s position and requesting transmission to federal officials. It does not change federal law or compel DOE action.
  • As provided, the resolution has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations (status may change with further committee action).

Note: This summary is based on the text of the resolution and cited administrative actions (DOE Orders 202‑25‑3 and 202‑25‑7). Resolutions of this type summarize positions and request action but do not alter regulatory authority or court proceedings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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