IDEM hosts online public hearing for Schahfer permit draft
Northwest Indiana residents testified at an online public hearing hosted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) regarding permit changes for NIPSCO's R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield. Opponents voiced concerns that the proposed permit, linked to a 2.6 gigawatt gas plant in Jasper County to power Amazon's data centers, would worsen air quality and increase pollution. IDEM is reviewing comments and will issue a decision later.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) recently held an online public hearing concerning proposed air permit changes for Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, Indiana. Over 15 Northwest Indiana residents testified, expressing significant concerns that the permit would lead to decreased air quality and increased pollution, negatively impacting their health, farm animals, and local environment.
Activists highlighted that NIPSCO's permit application is part of a larger proposal to construct a 2.6 gigawatt combined-cycle gas plant in Jasper County, intended to power Amazon's data centers, including a facility in Hobart. Ashley Williams, executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, strongly criticized the proposal, describing it as a "massive industrial development of mad science proportions" that would burden local resources. Hobart resident Angelita Soriano echoed these sentiments, pointing out the historical pollution burden on Northwest Indiana and the potential for the new turbines to emit millions of tons of carbon dioxide and consume vast amounts of water from the Kankakee River watershed daily.
Residents, including Patricia Gardner from Wheatfield, shared personal stories of health issues, while Steve Herlinger, also from Wheatfield, called for more environmental studies and suggested tabling the permit application. Jenny Acker, IDEM's air permits branch chief, oversaw the hearing, where the department did not respond to comments.
In contrast, Keith Weber, environmental principal for NIPSCO's parent company NiSource, testified that NIPSCO has significantly reduced emissions since 2005 and is committed to operating responsibly and transparently. He requested that IDEM address the comments and issue a final permit, emphasizing the company's compliance with environmental requirements. IDEM is expected to issue its decision on the permit application at a later date.