(INDIANAPOLIS) -- Indiana utilities are warning that a federal order keeping two aging coal plants online could soon drive up electric costs for Hoosiers.
According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, the U.S. Department of Energy has ordered NIPSCO and CenterPoint to continue operating coal units at the R.M. Schahfer and F.B. Culley stations through at least June 21.
The plants had been scheduled to retire at the end of 2025, but federal officials say the units are needed to protect Midwest grid reliability during periods of high demand and extreme weather.
Utility leaders told Indiana regulators this week that the costs are already mounting.
NIPSCO says keeping Schahfer running could require more than 100 million dollars in new investments, on top of fuel, staffing and daily operating expenses.
CenterPoint says its Culley unit is averaging about 1.2 million dollars per day in operating costs.
Consumer and environmental advocates are now challenging the federal order, warning the extended coal operations could raise monthly bills while also prolonging pollution concerns.