"Gross mismanagement" and improper communications with ex-regulatory chairman are among evidence in testimony to make Duke, rather than ratepayers, swallow major cost overruns at Edwardsport power plant.

Former Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission chief David Hardy and the state's then-finance director, Jennifer Alvey, improperly discussed the merits of a $6.9 billion contract the Indiana Finance Authority ultimately struck with operators of the Indiana Gasification plant proposed for Rockport, plant opponents alleged Monday.

A consumer group opposing Senate Bill 115 argues the measure is yet another concession to the developer of a coal-to-methane plant proposed in Rockport.

The Hoosier Environmental Council and Citizens Action Coalition see an expansion of the state’s “net metering” policy as achievable during the short legislative session that starts Jan. 5.

The state’s utility consumer agency is opposing Duke Energy’s request to have customers pay $121 million to study where to inject underground the carbon dioxide to be produced by its Edwardsport plant.

Indianapolis Power & Light faces potential fines and capital expenditures after allegedly updating three generating plants over 23 years without adding the most modern pollution controls.

Utility ratepayer groups say House Bill 1496, which is stuck in committee, is typical of what they see as a disturbing trend: allowing utilities to pass the cost of mandates directly to consumers. HB 1496 would require Indiana's coal-reliant electric utilities to generate at least 10 percent of their power from renewable energy sources like wind and landfill gas.