Duke’s Cayuga Coal Plant Could Permanently Close

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved plansthat could lead to the retirement of Duke Energy's aging and increasingly expensive Cayuga coal plant. But, as a condition of approval of replacement generation, Duke is required to study the feasibility of operating coal and gas units simultaneously at the Cayuga site and to put the coal units up for sale. Duke admits that the Cayuga coal units are not needed for reliability.

Duke earned a 0% (F) for the second year in a row in the Sierra Club's Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledgesreport that the organization released earlier this week. Reasons for its low scores include the company's plan to extend coal-burning at Gibson through 2038, doubling down on often unprofitable coal-burning at Edwardsport, and its paltry investments in wind, solar, and storage.

Statement from Megan Anderson, Senior Beyond Coal Campaign Organizer in Indiana:

"Duke's failure to provide affordable, renewable energy has led customers to where we are today, but retiring the outdated Cayuga coal plant is the right move for customers. Governor Braun allegedly cares about energy affordability, so he should stop giving handouts to the coal industry and focus on providing tangible relief to struggling Hoosier families. Sierra Club demands that existing customers not be asked to give a bailout to any potential third-party purchaser."

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About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.