Duke Energy customers might not have to pay $300 million for the utility’s coal ash cleanup.

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled this week that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission should not have approved Duke’s plan to raise rates for cleanup work that did not receive prior approval.

Lawmakers later passed a measure allowing utilities to recover such costs without pre-approval, but the court determined the law does not apply to work Duke undertook before it took effect.

The Citizens Action Coalition, which challenged Duke’s request, called the ruling a victory. Duke Energy declined comment, saying it is still reviewing the decision.

FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING