IURC caps ratepayers’ share of Edwardsport plant at $2.6B
Opponents call the deal too generous to Duke Energy and say it doesn’t protect ratepayers from rising financing costs.
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Wabash Valley Power aggressively shifting to greener alternatives
The Wabash Valley Power Association has been reducing its dependence on energy produced from coal—from 95 percent five years ago to 54 percent today. The utility is leaning more on natural gas and even renewable-energy sources like methane from landfills and animal waste.
Backers of 30-year gas-purchase deal to press on
The Indiana Finance Authority and Indiana Gasification LLC plan to amend a 30-year contract that obligates the state to buy the company's synthetic natural gas. The move is in reaction to an appeals court ruling that reversed regulators' approval of the deal.
Vectren: Coal-gas plant to cost Indiana consumers $1B
The Evansville-based utility estimates all residential gas customers would see their gas bills increase an average of $3.90 per month for eight years—for a total cost of $375 per consumer.
$14M legal tab touches off new skirmish in Duke case
Citizens Action Coalition, Sierra Club, Save the Valley and Valley Watch are hoping questions over legal fees the utility agreed to pay attorneys for industrial customers scuttle a deal over cost overruns at the $3.3 billion Edwardsport coal gasification plant.
Duke foes skeptical about Edwardsport price tag
Utility denies claim it is trying to sidestep $2.6 billion cap on costs that can be passed along to ratepayers.
State regulators order Duke Energy to release documents
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ruled that emails and reports about the troubled Edwardsport coal gasification plant contain only general communications between Duke and its contractors and are not protected from disclosure.
Sierra Club pressures utilities to find alternatives to coal
Dave Menzer, director of the Sierra Club’s new “Beyond Coal” campaign in Indiana, aims to spark discussion about the health and environmental costs of the state’s bituminous bounty that for years has brought relatively cheap electric rates.
IDEM files proposed permit for $2.65B gasification plant
Indiana Gasification contends the project in Rockport will create 500 permanent jobs. Opponents say the plant will harm regional air quality.
Purdue announces $33 million energy plan
Purdue University plans to demolish an old coal-burning boiler, convert another coal-burning boiler to natural gas and install a natural gas-fired combined heat and power unit as part of a new comprehensive energy plan.
Plant upgrades might cost IPL nearly $1 billion
New federal mercury-reduction regulations may force Indianapolis Power & Light to spend nearly $1 billion to upgrade its coal-fired electric plants scattered around Indiana. Duke Energy is mulling everything from plant upgrades to shutting down older units.
House committee deals blow to Rockport synthetic-gas plant
Questions about a synthetic natural gas plant proposed for southern Indiana led a House committee to strip tax breaks for the $2.6 billion project from a bill that already has passed the Senate.
Utility exec: Coal-gas plant’s ‘time has passed’
A utility executive told a legislative committee Tuesday that a drop in natural gas prices as a result of the nation's shale-gas boom have made a proposed southern Indiana coal-gasification plant a project "whose time has passed."
Daniels praises delay of federal pollution rule
Gov. Mitch Daniels is praising a court ruling that's delayed an Obama administration regulation aimed at reducing power plant pollution in 27 states that contributes to unhealthy air downwind.
Utility counselor seeks reprieve on coal plant emissions
In a letter to the EPA, Indiana's utility consumer counselor says the three-year timetable threatens the safety and reliability of Indiana's power supply while ignoring the high cost of compliance.
Regulators approve deal on $2.65B gasification plant
Indiana regulators have approved plans for a $2.65 billion coal gasification plant at the Ohio River city of Rockport and a state agency's 30-year contract to buy its synthetic natural gas.
Citizens to convert downtown steam plant from coal to gas
Citizens Energy Group plans to switch the primary power source for its Perry K Steam Plant in downtown Indianapolis from coal to natural gas, the utility announced Wednesday. The conversion will cost about $9 million.
Duke to begin razing state’s oldest coal plant
Duke Energy Corp. is preparing to demolish a coal-fired power plant that's Indiana's oldest electricity-generating plant of its kind.
Panel: State power rates will rise 20 percent over 6 years
Factors driving up rates will be new plant construction, installation of pollution controls, and improvements to extend the operating life of existing power plants.
Consumer group accuses Duke of ‘gross mismanagement’
“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.