EPA to Hold Hearing in Holland on Deep Injection Wells Near Campbell Power Plant
Residents of Holland and surrounding Ottawa County will have a chance to weigh in next month on a proposal that could reshape how the aging J.H. Campbell Power Plant handles its waste during decommissioning.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scheduled a public hearing for July 23 in Holland to discuss two proposed deep injection wells in nearby West Olive. The wells are part of Consumers Energy's plan to manage wastewater generated from the coal-fired plant's shutdown process.
What the Wells Would Do
According to the EPA, the two proposed Class I Non-Hazardous injection wells would be used to dispose of water containing coal combustion residuals into the ground. The permits, if approved, would be valid for 10 years.
According to the EPA, Consumers Energy has shown the injected waste wouldn't threaten any underground sources of drinking water.
The wells would be located in Port Sheldon in Ottawa County. The plant sits at Croswell Street in West Olive.
Hearing Details
The public hearing will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 23 at Midtown Center, located at 96 W. 15th St. in Holland. An availability session will precede the hearing from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..
The EPA posted the public notice on June 24. The docket number is EPA-R05-OW-2025-2730. The permit numbers are MI-139-1I-PIN-0001-1 and MI-139-1I-PIN-0002-1.
Background on the Campbell Plant
The J.H. Campbell Generating Station has been at the center of a political and legal battle. The plant was originally set to close in May 2025 according to Consumers Energy. A federal executive order kept the facility operating beyond its planned retirement date.
According to the Holland Sentinel, the hearing request came after appeals from local governments and Consumers Energy. The two proposed wells are part of the plant's ongoing decommissioning process.
How to Comment
The EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed permits. Residents can submit comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R05-OW-2025-2730 or attend the hearing in person in Holland.
The hearing comes as the broader debate over coal plant retirements and environmental cleanup continues across Michigan. The outcome of this hearing could set a precedent for how other facilities handle coal combustion residuals during decommissioning.
Reporting by James Thornton, Michigan Capitol Beat. Sources: The Holland Sentinel, U.S. EPA.