DTE Energy has maintained its commitment to retire two units of its Monroe coal-fired power plant in 2028 and the remaining two units in 2032, despite pressure from the Trump Administration to delay coal plant closures. The administration issued an executive order on April 8, 'Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry,' urging federal agencies to support coal use. This led to a 90-day extension for Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive, Michigan, which was scheduled to shut down on May 31, 2025. The extension, declared as an emergency by the Department of Energy on May 23, cost Consumers Energy an additional $29 million between May 31 and June 30, 2025. The company has filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to recover these costs through the MISO tariff system. Environmental groups, including Earthjustice and the Sierra Club, argue the extension was unlawful and economically damaging, as it interfered with planned retirements and imposed significant financial burdens on utilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to delay the compliance deadline for coal-fired power plants affected by zero-discharge wastewater standards, originally set for December 31, 2029. The agency intends to extend this deadline and propose revising the technology basis for limits on unmanaged combustion residual leachate, potentially weakening the zero-discharge requirements. The rule, issued in April 2024, was designed to reduce pollution by over 660 million pounds annually and generate $3.2 billion in benefits, with an estimated 5,780 MW of power plant retirements by 2035. Industry groups and 22 states, including West Virginia, have challenged the rule, arguing it imposes excessive and unproven regulatory burdens. The EPA has filed a request with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in St. Louis to suspend litigation until after the deadline extension is finalized. Critics, including Earthjustice and environmental organizations, have called the delay 'terrible news,' warning it will harm public health and degrade waterways.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has filed a court request to delay the compliance deadline for coal-fired power plants affected by zero-discharge wastewater standards, originally set for December 31, 2029. The rule, issued in April 2024, imposes stricter limits on pollutants such as heavy metals, halogen compounds, nutrients, and total dissolved solids in wastewater from flue gas desulfurization, bottom ash transport, and combustion residual leachate. The EPA seeks to suspend litigation from utilities and trade groups until after extending the deadline. It also plans to revise the technology basis for discharges of unmanaged combustion residual leachate and may adjust zero-discharge standards. The agency estimates the rule would reduce pollution by over 660 million pounds annually and generate $3.2 billion in benefits, with about 5,780 MW of power plants retiring by 2035. Critics, including Earthjustice and environmental groups, argue the delay or weakening of the rule will harm public health and water quality. Industry and state parties, including Southwestern Electric Power Co. (a subsidiary of American Electric Power), Utility Water Act Group, and 22 states led by West Virginia, have challenged the rule in court, claiming it imposes excessive and unproven regulatory burdens.

Consumers Energy is clarifying the presence of a distribution charge on customer electric bills, which has led to confusion among residents. The charge, listed under 'other charges,' reflects the cost of delivering energy to homes and fluctuates based on usage and peak demand. Matt Johnson, a media relations specialist, explains that the distribution cost increases with higher energy consumption and during peak hours, such as summer afternoons from 2 to 7 p.m. when rates are slightly higher. Customers are advised to reduce energy waste through home energy audits, using smart thermostats, closing blinds, and shifting energy-intensive activities to off-peak hours. Consumers can also opt for a budget plan with a flat annual rate. DTE Energy is noted as charging a similar distribution fee.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the DTE Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan, is offering $100,000 in grant funding through the DTE Foundation Tree Planting Grant Program to support community tree planting efforts across Michigan. The program supports projects that plant trees away from utility lines in streets, parks, and near schools to mitigate climate change, enhance local beauty, and engage residents in environmental stewardship. Since 1996, this initiative has been a joint effort between the DTE Foundation and the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program, with ReLeaf Michigan added to provide technical support. Applications are open for the 2025-26 cycle, with applicants able to request up to $4,000 subject to a 1-to-1 matching requirement. Applications must be submitted by September 15, with awards announced in October 2025 and projects required to be completed by September 1, 2026.