The DOE’s coal retirement freeze just got its day in court. (Utility Dive)
The agency has faced several legal challenges over its orders to keep aging fossil fuel plants online—now, one has made it to the oral argument stage for the first time.
What happened: Lawyers representing states and public interest groups told the D.C. Circuit that the DOE overstepped when ordering a Michigan Consumers Energy coal plant to keep running past its planned May ‘25 retirement. The DOE’s response? MISO is facing a grid emergency.
Why it matters: A ruling in the case (expected later this year) could shape fights over five other DOE orders keeping plants online. And if the losing side in this case appeals—a likely outcome—it could head to the US Supreme Court.