The public has chances to comment on Duke Energy’s proposal to build a new natural gas-fired power plant at the site of its coal-fired Cayuga Generating Station in Vermillion County.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor on Thursday announced written comments will be taken for the official case record through May 1, 2025.

The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is the state agency that represents consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

Also, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold public field hearings on Apr. 17 in Terre Haute and in Bloomington.

Written comments

Consumers who wish to submit written comments for the case record may do so via the OUCC’s website at uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov, by email at uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov, or by mail.

Mailed comments should be sent to Public Comments, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Written consumer comments are due no later than May 1 so that the evidentiary record can be compiled. Comments should include the consumer’s name and a reference to either “IURC Cause No. 46193” or Duke Energy Generation.

Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor’s staff toll-free at 888-441-2494.

Public field hearings

The public field hearing in Terre Haute will begin at 6 p.m. April 17 a Ivy Tech Community College’s Oakley Auditorium, 8000 S. Education Drive.

The public hearing in Bloomington will be from 1 to 4 p.m. April 17 at the Monroe Convention Center’s Great Room, 302 S. College Avenue.

Consumers are asked to arrive 15 minutes early for an overview of hearing procedures. Attendees are required to comply with all local health and safety regulations. No final decisions about the case will be made at these hearings.

The purpose of field hearings is to receive public testimony. A decision in this case is expected later this year.

Consumers can speak directly to the commission under oath and on the record. Oral comments presented during the hearings become part of the case record. They carry the same weight as written consumer comments submitted by May 1.

Utility companies do not make presentations or answer questions during these hearings. The focus is on public input. In this case, Duke Energy filed its testimony and exhibits in February 2025.

Commissioners are not allowed to answer questions about the case at field hearings. They ultimately will render a decision after weighing evidence from the utility, Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and intervening parties.

Case overview

Duke Energy is seeking IURC approval to build a new natural gas-fired power plant at the site of its coal-fired Cayuga Generating Station in Vermillion 
County. The request by Duke includes permission to recover costs through future rates.

According to the utility’s testimony and exhibits:

• The proposed new plant would include two natural gas-fired combined cycle generating units with a total capacity winter rating of 1,476 megawatts.

• The new units would be placed in service by September 2029 and May 2030. They would replace two coal-fired units that have been in use since the 1970s, with a total capacity winter rating of 1,005 megawatts.

• Duke Energy estimates project costs at approximately $3.33 billion.

Duke Energy initiated this case in February 2025. In its review, the OUCC is focused primarily on whether the proposed facility:

• Would provide the most cost-effective means for the utility to meet its generation needs for current and future customers;

• Is consistent with the utility’s long-term generation planning;

• Is consistent with the “Five Pillars of Electric Utility Service” as defined in Indiana law;

• Whether Duke Energy’s proposed future rate recovery is reasonable.

Several additional parties have intervened in this case. These include Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Reliable Energy Inc., Vote Solar, and industrial customers including Nucor Steel, Marathon Petroleum Company, International Paper Company, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Stellantis and USG Corp.

Any testimony the intervening parties may file is due by May 8.

Case updates

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is posting case updates online at https://bit.ly/4lxv74b.

Case updates are also available through the agency’s monthly electronic newsletter. Consumers can subscribe at www.in.gov/ oucc/news.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission case number is 46193. Information for this article came from a release by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.
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