A federal court has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to extend the life of a Michigan coal plant beyond its planned retirement, ruling that the Energy Department overstepped its legal authority in the process. The decision marks a legal setback for the administration’s efforts to prop up struggling coal facilities amid broader energy policy debates. Legal experts and environmental groups are expected to weigh in on the broader implications for federal energy regulations. The ruling could influence future cases involving government interventions in power plant operations.
In a defeat for the Trump administration, a federal court on Friday ruled that the Energy Department exceeded its authority when it forced a Michigan coal-fired power plant to stay open past its scheduled retirement date last year.
