By Joseph Parnell McCarter on 01/24/2026
MISO reports we are now having a Max Gen event! A Maximum Generation (“Max Gen”) event is an emergency declaration by a regional transmission operator (like MISO or PJM) signaling that electricity demand is exceeding, or is about to exceed, available supply. It is an “all-hands-on-deck” situation used to maintain grid reliability, often triggered by extreme weather, forced power plant outages, or, high demand. Rep. Luke Meerman brought this to my attention, and needed to find out if the Campbell is helping to save us from catastrophe.
A “Save The Campbell” supporter sent us this image of the Campbell currently operating and helping to save the day in providing reliable electricity for our region today:
An industry insider informs me that Campbell units 1 and 3 are operating today, whereas many gas plants are shut down due to the severe cold. Needless to say, solar development fields are generally covered in snow and useless as baseload electric. We need coal to help us on days just like this. Many people could die if we do not have adequate electric on days like this.
The “Save The Campbell” effort is fully vindicated, and it is time that Ottawa County reject the dangerous Net Zero agenda being thrust upon us by MPSC/Consumers Energy. Please tell your township board members and county board members to help us get more local control of our electric grid and thwart the Net Zero nonsense. We need the coal-gas combo for our electric baseload here in Michigan.
Red Ottawa County needs to de-couple from more blue Michigan with its consequent misguided energy policy as reflected in this US map of electric energy pricing (see https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1505015484959000&set=a.286244703502757):
Red Ottawa County should thwart the Net Zero agenda by God’s grace.