Sierra Club and Earthjustice Challenge DOE's Coal Plant Extensions Impacting Hoosiers
The Sierra Club and Earthjustice have presented oral arguments before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging the Department of Energy's (DOE) use of Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. This legal action targets the DOE's decision to extend the operation of coal plants, such as the J.H. Campbell power plant in Michigan, beyond their scheduled retirement dates. The DOE justified these extensions by declaring an 'energy emergency,' a claim that has been reissued multiple times since May 2025. These extensions have led to increased utility bills for residents in Indiana, particularly affecting the Culley and Schahfer plants. Despite objections from CenterPoint, the owner of the Culley plant, the DOE has mandated the plant's continued operation, citing the need for substantial investment to maintain the aging infrastructure. The Sierra Club argues that these extensions are unnecessary, as recent capacity auctions by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) have shown increased capacity, ... 
