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US DOE Extends Life of Coal Units at 2 Indiana Power Plants Until Sept. 19

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US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday extended an emergency order issued to prolong the life of several generation units at two Indiana coal-fired power plants that were due to shut down in late 2025, the US Department of Energy said in a statement.

The order directs NiSource (Ni) subsidiary Northern Indiana Public Service Company, CenterPoint Energy (CNP), and the regional transmission organization Midcontinent Independent System Operator to ensure that designated power-generation units at Indiana's R M Schahfer and F B Culley plants remain available for operation.

The R M Schahfer plant is owned by NIPSCO, while CenterPoint Energy owns the F B Culley facility.

Since the DOE first issued the emergency order on Dec. 23 last year, "the coal plants have proven critical to MISO's operations, operating during periods of high energy demand and low levels of intermittent energy production, including during Winter Storm Fern," the statement said.

The decision was made to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity in the Midwest, especially during peak summer demand, the statement said.

The orders are effective from June 22 through Sept. 19.

Price: $42.82, Change: $+0.19, Percent Change: +0.45%

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