FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Two consumer advocacy groups disagree over Duke Energy’s plan to shut down its Cayuga coal plant and replace it with a new natural gas facility.  The project cost is estimated at over $3 billion.

Both groups say the utility is asking ratepayers to cover too much of the cost, but they differ on what should come next.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) recommends keeping the Cayuga plant open, citing recent executive orders from President Donald Trump and Governor Mike Braun that support extending the life of coal plants in Indiana. The OUCC argues that emerging technology, like small modular nuclear reactors, could be in place before the proposed gas plant reaches the end of its life in 2065.

Meanwhile, Duke Energy Indiana says it needs more power now to meet rising demand. “There is a need for additional power in the near term, and unfortunately, it’s not an option to wait for changes in technology, new technology to develop our changes in regulatory policy,” said Duke spokesperson Angeline Protogere.

The Citizens Action Coalition supports retiring the Cayuga plant but opposes replacing it with natural gas. The group favors renewable energy instead and says Duke didn’t fully consider options like customer-owned solar and demand-reduction incentives.

CAC also notes that a gas plant built today could still be running past 2050 which is when Duke Energy aims to reach net zero emissions.