By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Trump administration has extended its order to keep Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell power plant open for another 90 days, citing continued concerns about the planned closing of the coal-fired plant in Port Sheldon Township on the reliability of the electric grid.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued the extension Aug. 20, one day before the earlier order to keep the Campbell plant open for 90 days was to expire. The plant, which had been scheduled to be shut down May 21, is now ordered to remain open until Nov. 19.
Wright claimed the order was authorized under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act and in accordance with an earlier national energy emergency declaration by President Trump.
“The emergency conditions that led to the issuance of (the previous order) continue, both in the near and long term,” Wright said in the new order. “The summer season has not yet ended, and the production of electricity from the Campbell Plant will continue to be a critical asset to maintain reliability in (the Midcontinent Independent System Operator grid) this summer.”
Wright said that need was made evident earlier this summer when Campbell was called on by MISO to generate large amounts of electricity during a June heat wave. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the plant generated approximately 664,000 megawatt-hours during June, running at 61 percent capacity.
Between June 11 and Aug. 18, MISO issued dozens of alerts to manage grid reliability in its Central Region in response to hot weather, severe weather, high customer load, forced generation outages, and transfer capability limits. Alerts for the Central Region were issued on 40 of the 69 days between those two dates, Wright said.
“For the duration of this order, MISO is directed to take every step to employ economic dispatch of the Campbell Plant to minimize cost to ratepayers,” Wright said. “Following the conclusion of this order, sufficient time for orderly ramp down is permitted, consistent with industry practices. Consumers Energy is directed to comply with all orders from MISO related to the availability and dispatch of the Campbell Plant.”
The Michigan Public Service Commission in June 2022 approved a settlement agreement with Consumers where the company agreed to shut down the three units at the Campbell plant this year as part of an overall corporate plan to move toward natural gas and renewable energy as sources of generating power.
“We are evaluating the order extension and expect to continue operating the plant as required by DOE,” Consumers spokesman Brian Wheeler said. “We are also pleased that (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) approved our request to recover costs associated with plant operations and allocate those costs across MISO’s North and Central regions consistent with the DOE order.”
In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumers reported that it had incurred $29 million in net additional costs from being ordered to keep the Campbell plant running from the first day of the order until June 30. FERC on Aug. 15 agreed to Consumers’ cost recovery request.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and numerous environmental groups have filed legal challenges to the Energy Department order. In a request for a rehearing in June, Nessel called the order “an unlawful abuse of the Department’s emergency authority.”
Derrell Slaughter, a Michigan policy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said that forcing utilities such as Consumers to continue to operate coal-fired plants past their retirement “increases the electric bills paid by homeowners and businesses while missing an opportunity to cut dangerous air pollution.”
“People in Michigan and across the Midwest should not be stuck paying the cost of a nonexistent ‘emergency’ with their health and their electric bills,” Slaughter said in a statement on NRDC’s website. “These moves by the Trump administration are a political takeover of the electricity grid, granting the Secretary of Energy the authority to override markets, states, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to bolster uneconomic and polluting fossil fuels.”
Nearly 100 protestors opposed to keeping the Campbell plant open demonstrated outside the plant on Aug. 15.
In a joint statement shortly after the demonstration, state Rep. Brad Slagh, R-Zeeland, and fellow Rep. Luke Meerman, R-Coopersville, defended keeping Campbell open.
“The Department of Energy’s temporary order to keep Campbell online this summer is not a partisan gesture — it’s a practical safeguard to ensure our communities have the electricity they need, especially during periods of peak demand,” Reps. Slagh and Meerman said in their statement.
Earlier this year, Slagh and Meerman joined several of their legislative colleagues in sending a letter to Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum outlining serious concerns about Michigan’s energy security.
In that letter, the representatives cited findings from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation showing that the MISO-East region, which serves Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, is the highest-risk energy grid in the nation. They also warned that state-mandated timelines for eliminating baseload generation, including coal, would weaken the grid, raise costs and increase the risk of blackouts.
Zeeland Record
The Trump administration has extended its order to keep Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell power plant open for another 90 days, citing continued concerns about the planned closing of the coal-fired plant in Port Sheldon Township on the reliability of the electric grid.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued the extension Aug. 20, one day before the earlier order to keep the Campbell plant open for 90 days was to expire. The plant, which had been scheduled to be shut down May 21, is now ordered to remain open until Nov. 19.
Wright claimed the order was authorized under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act and in accordance with an earlier national energy emergency declaration by President Trump.
“The emergency conditions that led to the issuance of (the previous order) continue, both in the near and long term,” Wright said in the new order. “The summer season has not yet ended, and the production of electricity from the Campbell Plant will continue to be a critical asset to maintain reliability in (the Midcontinent Independent System Operator grid) this summer.”
Wright said that need was made evident earlier this summer when Campbell was called on by MISO to generate large amounts of electricity during a June heat wave. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the plant generated approximately 664,000 megawatt-hours during June, running at 61 percent capacity.
Between June 11 and Aug. 18, MISO issued dozens of alerts to manage grid reliability in its Central Region in response to hot weather, severe weather, high customer load, forced generation outages, and transfer capability limits. Alerts for the Central Region were issued on 40 of the 69 days between those two dates, Wright said.
“For the duration of this order, MISO is directed to take every step to employ economic dispatch of the Campbell Plant to minimize cost to ratepayers,” Wright said. “Following the conclusion of this order, sufficient time for orderly ramp down is permitted, consistent with industry practices. Consumers Energy is directed to comply with all orders from MISO related to the availability and dispatch of the Campbell Plant.”
The Michigan Public Service Commission in June 2022 approved a settlement agreement with Consumers where the company agreed to shut down the three units at the Campbell plant this year as part of an overall corporate plan to move toward natural gas and renewable energy as sources of generating power.
“We are evaluating the order extension and expect to continue operating the plant as required by DOE,” Consumers spokesman Brian Wheeler said. “We are also pleased that (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) approved our request to recover costs associated with plant operations and allocate those costs across MISO’s North and Central regions consistent with the DOE order.”
In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumers reported that it had incurred $29 million in net additional costs from being ordered to keep the Campbell plant running from the first day of the order until June 30. FERC on Aug. 15 agreed to Consumers’ cost recovery request.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and numerous environmental groups have filed legal challenges to the Energy Department order. In a request for a rehearing in June, Nessel called the order “an unlawful abuse of the Department’s emergency authority.”
Derrell Slaughter, a Michigan policy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said that forcing utilities such as Consumers to continue to operate coal-fired plants past their retirement “increases the electric bills paid by homeowners and businesses while missing an opportunity to cut dangerous air pollution.”
“People in Michigan and across the Midwest should not be stuck paying the cost of a nonexistent ‘emergency’ with their health and their electric bills,” Slaughter said in a statement on NRDC’s website. “These moves by the Trump administration are a political takeover of the electricity grid, granting the Secretary of Energy the authority to override markets, states, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to bolster uneconomic and polluting fossil fuels.”
Nearly 100 protestors opposed to keeping the Campbell plant open demonstrated outside the plant on Aug. 15.
In a joint statement shortly after the demonstration, state Rep. Brad Slagh, R-Zeeland, and fellow Rep. Luke Meerman, R-Coopersville, defended keeping Campbell open.
“The Department of Energy’s temporary order to keep Campbell online this summer is not a partisan gesture — it’s a practical safeguard to ensure our communities have the electricity they need, especially during periods of peak demand,” Reps. Slagh and Meerman said in their statement.
Earlier this year, Slagh and Meerman joined several of their legislative colleagues in sending a letter to Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum outlining serious concerns about Michigan’s energy security.
In that letter, the representatives cited findings from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation showing that the MISO-East region, which serves Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, is the highest-risk energy grid in the nation. They also warned that state-mandated timelines for eliminating baseload generation, including coal, would weaken the grid, raise costs and increase the risk of blackouts.
America250MI Grant to Support Historical Society Project
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Historical Society and the Holland Museum have received a $25,000 grant through the America250MI program to support a joint exhibit and oral history project that will get underway next year.
The project, known as “We The People,” explores immigration, identity and belonging in West Michigan through historical artifacts, interactive storytelling and personal narratives – ranging from the early Dutch settlers and indigenous peoples to more recent immigrant communities. A companion oral history initiative will preserve first-hand stories and make them accessible online. The project will include educational programming and local school partnerships.
America250MI is a statewide committee tasked with commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the American Revolution’s role in Michigan’s history and the impact that these, and various historical events, have had on the people of Michigan’s past, present and future.
The oral histories will form the foundation of the project. They will be featured in a film to be shown at both Zeeland’s Dekker Huis Museum and at the Holland Museum, incorporated into an online interactive, and preserved through transcription and archiving at both institutions, Zeeland Historical Society Director Katelyn VerMerris said.
“I believe oral history is one of the most powerful ways to collect and share our community’s story,” VerMerris said. “It goes beyond documents to capture voices, perspectives, and experiences that might otherwise be lost. I’m excited to lead the oral history component of this project and to bring the question, ‘What does it mean to be an American?’ to life through the stories of our participants.”
The oral history participants are being identified through community partners such as Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) and Lighthouse Community Advocates, who are helping the museums connect with individuals and families whose stories reflect the diversity of West Michigan.
About 10-15 interviews will be conducted that capture a range of lived experiences in the region. A trained oral history fellow is supporting this work to ensure the process is handled thoughtfully and professionally, VerMerris said.
In addition, the museums will be offering programs and interactive opportunities within the exhibit next year, so visitors will have a chance to share their story and add their voice to the project. Anyone interested in participating in any element of storytelling can contact VerMerris directly.
The America250MI program received nearly 100 proposals totaling more than $2.2 million in funding requests during its 45-day application window, with applications submitted from all regions of the state.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Historical Society and the Holland Museum have received a $25,000 grant through the America250MI program to support a joint exhibit and oral history project that will get underway next year.
The project, known as “We The People,” explores immigration, identity and belonging in West Michigan through historical artifacts, interactive storytelling and personal narratives – ranging from the early Dutch settlers and indigenous peoples to more recent immigrant communities. A companion oral history initiative will preserve first-hand stories and make them accessible online. The project will include educational programming and local school partnerships.
America250MI is a statewide committee tasked with commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the American Revolution’s role in Michigan’s history and the impact that these, and various historical events, have had on the people of Michigan’s past, present and future.
The oral histories will form the foundation of the project. They will be featured in a film to be shown at both Zeeland’s Dekker Huis Museum and at the Holland Museum, incorporated into an online interactive, and preserved through transcription and archiving at both institutions, Zeeland Historical Society Director Katelyn VerMerris said.
“I believe oral history is one of the most powerful ways to collect and share our community’s story,” VerMerris said. “It goes beyond documents to capture voices, perspectives, and experiences that might otherwise be lost. I’m excited to lead the oral history component of this project and to bring the question, ‘What does it mean to be an American?’ to life through the stories of our participants.”
The oral history participants are being identified through community partners such as Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) and Lighthouse Community Advocates, who are helping the museums connect with individuals and families whose stories reflect the diversity of West Michigan.
About 10-15 interviews will be conducted that capture a range of lived experiences in the region. A trained oral history fellow is supporting this work to ensure the process is handled thoughtfully and professionally, VerMerris said.
In addition, the museums will be offering programs and interactive opportunities within the exhibit next year, so visitors will have a chance to share their story and add their voice to the project. Anyone interested in participating in any element of storytelling can contact VerMerris directly.
The America250MI program received nearly 100 proposals totaling more than $2.2 million in funding requests during its 45-day application window, with applications submitted from all regions of the state.
City on a Hill Health Clinic Serves the Whole Person
By Kelli Boetsma
City on a Hill Ministries
At City on a Hill Health Clinic, healing goes beyond prescriptions and procedures. Thanks to ongoing grant funding and unwavering community support, the clinic provides essential physical, mental, and behavioral health care to individuals and families who otherwise might go without.
Located in the repurposed Zeeland Community Hospital building at 100 S. Pine St., the nonprofit clinic offers free services to uninsured and uninsured patients. These patients are mostly from Ottawa County, but some travel from Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, and Van Buren counties and beyond. From routine check-ups and disease management to counseling and behavioral therapy, the clinic exists to meet the full spectrum of human need.
"What a blessing it has been to walk alongside those at their most vulnerable moments to provide safety, empathy, and a glimpse of hope they may not have seen otherwise,” long-term nurse practitioner Andrea, shares.
That mission is made possible in large part by grant funding and the generosity of donors and volunteers. Recent community support has allowed the clinic to expand its mental health services and increase access to preventative care. Local partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and churches also play a key role in extending the clinic’s reach.
"City on a Hill Health Clinic is able to provide care to those in our communities who lack resources with the help from community monetary support and through grant dollars,” Health Clinic Director Christine Plummer said. “These funding resources have decreased over the past years and are more difficult to obtain. The clinic is bracing for the inevitable cuts to the social safety net many of our patients rely on to survive.”
“Changes to Medicaid and SNAP directly impact the people who rely on free clinics — not just for medical care, but for survival. When these safety nets shrink, more patients walk through our doors sicker, hungrier, and with fewer options. The clinic becomes their last — and only — line of defense,” Plummer added.
With the rising cost of healthcare, the services provided at City on a Hill Health Clinic are more critical than ever. In 2024 alone, the Clinic scheduled more than 5,000 visits, many of whom are battling unemployment, home and financial insecurities, or chronic illness.
The clinic’s greatest need right now is for medical professionals who can diagnose and treat patients — physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Whether you’re able to serve weekly, monthly, or even just once every eight weeks, your time and care will bring hope and healing to those who need it most.
City on a Hill is a movement of hope and collaboration that’s been transforming lives since 2006. With four of our own life-giving ministries (Doors of Hope, Health Clinic, Café, and Leader Renewal) and a campus shared by over 45 other nonprofits and ministries, we are proof that when people come together with a shared heart for healing and renewal, entire communities are changed. From healthcare to housing support, from advocacy to spiritual restoration—City on a Hill is where mission meets momentum.
If you feel moved by this and want to be part of helping more families getting the help they deserve, we’d love to have you alongside us. Every act of support — big or small — helps make stories like this possible. Visit our website, coahm.org to learn more.
City on a Hill Ministries
At City on a Hill Health Clinic, healing goes beyond prescriptions and procedures. Thanks to ongoing grant funding and unwavering community support, the clinic provides essential physical, mental, and behavioral health care to individuals and families who otherwise might go without.
Located in the repurposed Zeeland Community Hospital building at 100 S. Pine St., the nonprofit clinic offers free services to uninsured and uninsured patients. These patients are mostly from Ottawa County, but some travel from Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, and Van Buren counties and beyond. From routine check-ups and disease management to counseling and behavioral therapy, the clinic exists to meet the full spectrum of human need.
"What a blessing it has been to walk alongside those at their most vulnerable moments to provide safety, empathy, and a glimpse of hope they may not have seen otherwise,” long-term nurse practitioner Andrea, shares.
That mission is made possible in large part by grant funding and the generosity of donors and volunteers. Recent community support has allowed the clinic to expand its mental health services and increase access to preventative care. Local partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and churches also play a key role in extending the clinic’s reach.
"City on a Hill Health Clinic is able to provide care to those in our communities who lack resources with the help from community monetary support and through grant dollars,” Health Clinic Director Christine Plummer said. “These funding resources have decreased over the past years and are more difficult to obtain. The clinic is bracing for the inevitable cuts to the social safety net many of our patients rely on to survive.”
“Changes to Medicaid and SNAP directly impact the people who rely on free clinics — not just for medical care, but for survival. When these safety nets shrink, more patients walk through our doors sicker, hungrier, and with fewer options. The clinic becomes their last — and only — line of defense,” Plummer added.
With the rising cost of healthcare, the services provided at City on a Hill Health Clinic are more critical than ever. In 2024 alone, the Clinic scheduled more than 5,000 visits, many of whom are battling unemployment, home and financial insecurities, or chronic illness.
The clinic’s greatest need right now is for medical professionals who can diagnose and treat patients — physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Whether you’re able to serve weekly, monthly, or even just once every eight weeks, your time and care will bring hope and healing to those who need it most.
City on a Hill is a movement of hope and collaboration that’s been transforming lives since 2006. With four of our own life-giving ministries (Doors of Hope, Health Clinic, Café, and Leader Renewal) and a campus shared by over 45 other nonprofits and ministries, we are proof that when people come together with a shared heart for healing and renewal, entire communities are changed. From healthcare to housing support, from advocacy to spiritual restoration—City on a Hill is where mission meets momentum.
If you feel moved by this and want to be part of helping more families getting the help they deserve, we’d love to have you alongside us. Every act of support — big or small — helps make stories like this possible. Visit our website, coahm.org to learn more.
Library Summer Reading Program Participation Increases
Youth librarian Julie Russell shows off a children’s book to members of the Sawdy family of Zeeland during the Howard Miller Public Library’s summer reading program this summer. Known as “Miss Julie” to countless local children, Russell has been with the library since 1997.
Photo courtesy Howard Miller Public Library
Photo courtesy Howard Miller Public Library
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Howard Miller Public Library says participation in its summer reading program increased this year, and more readers successfully completed the program than a year ago.
Total participation in the summer program increased 8 percent from last year, from 1,024 readers last year to 1,107 this year, Library Director Amanda Hanson said.
Meanwhile, the percentage of readers completing the “Color Our World” program increased 11.5 percent from a year ago, from 599 readers in 2024 to 668 this year, representing 60 percent of the readers who took part in the program, Hanson said.
“The completion rate of 60 percent of total registrants is above the national average for finishers of (summer reading programs) in public libraries, which is between 25-50 percent, according to the American Library Association,” Hanson wrote in a memo to City Manager Tim Klunder and the City Council.
Hanson also provided to the city a breakdown in program participation by age group. For “little readers” (defined as ages 0-5), there were 227 participants this summer, of which 117 completed the program (52 percent). Children age 6-11 was the largest participation group with 417 readers, of which 68 percent (284 readers) completed the program. Among teens (defined as ages 12-17), 110 readers completed the program among 167 participants (66 percent). Among adults, 296 people participated with 157 completing the program (53 percent).
Zeeland Record
The Howard Miller Public Library says participation in its summer reading program increased this year, and more readers successfully completed the program than a year ago.
Total participation in the summer program increased 8 percent from last year, from 1,024 readers last year to 1,107 this year, Library Director Amanda Hanson said.
Meanwhile, the percentage of readers completing the “Color Our World” program increased 11.5 percent from a year ago, from 599 readers in 2024 to 668 this year, representing 60 percent of the readers who took part in the program, Hanson said.
“The completion rate of 60 percent of total registrants is above the national average for finishers of (summer reading programs) in public libraries, which is between 25-50 percent, according to the American Library Association,” Hanson wrote in a memo to City Manager Tim Klunder and the City Council.
Hanson also provided to the city a breakdown in program participation by age group. For “little readers” (defined as ages 0-5), there were 227 participants this summer, of which 117 completed the program (52 percent). Children age 6-11 was the largest participation group with 417 readers, of which 68 percent (284 readers) completed the program. Among teens (defined as ages 12-17), 110 readers completed the program among 167 participants (66 percent). Among adults, 296 people participated with 157 completing the program (53 percent).
Postma Named BPW Water Operations Manager
Jason Postma
The Zeeland Board of Public Works has announced the selection of Jason Postma as its Water Operations Manager.
Postma joined Zeeland BPW in April 2022 as a water service technician, where his expertise in maintaining water distribution systems quickly became an asset to the community.
Prior to his work with BPW, Postma served at Holland Charter Township for eight years, gaining extensive experience in cross-connections, pump stations, and water tank operations.
Following a competitive selection process, Postma emerged as the top candidate to lead the water operations team. His proven technical skills, strong leadership, and dedication to service make him well-suited to guide BPW’s water operations into the future. Postma’s deep knowledge and commitment to excellence will continue to strengthen the high-quality water service the BPW customers rely on every day.
Postma joined Zeeland BPW in April 2022 as a water service technician, where his expertise in maintaining water distribution systems quickly became an asset to the community.
Prior to his work with BPW, Postma served at Holland Charter Township for eight years, gaining extensive experience in cross-connections, pump stations, and water tank operations.
Following a competitive selection process, Postma emerged as the top candidate to lead the water operations team. His proven technical skills, strong leadership, and dedication to service make him well-suited to guide BPW’s water operations into the future. Postma’s deep knowledge and commitment to excellence will continue to strengthen the high-quality water service the BPW customers rely on every day.
Zeeland Recreation to Launch Silver Striders Group to Perform at Parades
The Zeeland Recreation program is launching a senior dance performance group this fall that will perform at both the Pumpkinfest parade and at one of the Tulip Time parades.
The Silver Striders performance group is open to seniors 60 years of age and older who love to move, laugh and shine. In the class that will meet at Friday mornings starting Sept. 5, participants will learn simple, upbeat routines set to music, designed to be fun, low-impact and performance-ready.
No past dance experience is required to be part of the Silver Striders – just a willingness to have a good time and be part of a supportive team.
Participants will meet to rehearse short choreographed routines, build camaraderie and get ready to take to the streets of local parades and community events. Besides performing at Pumpkinfest and Tulip Time, there may be an opportunity to perform at halftime of a local high school sporting event.
Grace Spelde will be the instructor for the Silver Striders group. Practices will be held 10-11 a.m. each Friday in September and again on Oct. 3, then again on May 1, 2026, prior to performing in the Tulip Time parade. They will be held in the Zeeland Recreation fitness studio.
Cost for the program is $20 and includes a T-shirt. You can sign up online at zps.org/z-recreation/adult/silver-strider-perfor mance-group-60-yrs-.
The Silver Striders performance group is open to seniors 60 years of age and older who love to move, laugh and shine. In the class that will meet at Friday mornings starting Sept. 5, participants will learn simple, upbeat routines set to music, designed to be fun, low-impact and performance-ready.
No past dance experience is required to be part of the Silver Striders – just a willingness to have a good time and be part of a supportive team.
Participants will meet to rehearse short choreographed routines, build camaraderie and get ready to take to the streets of local parades and community events. Besides performing at Pumpkinfest and Tulip Time, there may be an opportunity to perform at halftime of a local high school sporting event.
Grace Spelde will be the instructor for the Silver Striders group. Practices will be held 10-11 a.m. each Friday in September and again on Oct. 3, then again on May 1, 2026, prior to performing in the Tulip Time parade. They will be held in the Zeeland Recreation fitness studio.
Cost for the program is $20 and includes a T-shirt. You can sign up online at zps.org/z-recreation/adult/silver-strider-perfor mance-group-60-yrs-.
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