Indiana wants to keep coal burning. Braun, Rokita cite data centers.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita are advocating to keep coal-burning power plants open, citing the significant energy demands of new data centers in the state. Their actions include an executive order and a legal intervention to prevent the closure of a specific coal plant, drawing opposition from environmental and consumer groups who warn of health risks and higher costs.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita have initiated efforts to prevent the closure of coal-burning power plants in Indiana, citing the escalating energy demands driven by new data center developments in the state, particularly for artificial intelligence operations. On July 31, Governor Braun issued an executive order aimed at halting coal plant retirements and potentially reopening previously decommissioned facilities. Simultaneously, Attorney General Rokita sought intervention in an Ohio federal district court regarding a 2007 consent decree that outlines the closure of Rockport Unit 1, a coal-fired plant owned by Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP), by 2028.
These state-level actions align with previous interventions by the Trump administration to support the coal industry. Governor Braun's spokesperson, Griffin Reid, stated that keeping operational coal plants on the grid is essential for meeting increased energy demands and protects consumers from costs associated with replacing existing generation. However, these moves have drawn significant opposition from consumer advocates and environmental groups.
Kerwin Olson, Executive Director of Citizens Action Coalition, argued that such actions would lead to higher costs for consumers and represent an attempt to circumvent the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's established processes for retiring coal plants based on economic and planning data. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, also strongly oppose the efforts, citing public health and environmental concerns related to coal pollution. Tony Mendoza, a senior attorney with the Sierra Club, labeled Rokita's legal intervention as untimely and challenged the Attorney General's standing to represent specific commercial interests like data center developers in court.
I&M spokesperson Stephanny Smith acknowledged the Attorney General's commitment to energy security while reaffirming the utility's focus on providing reliable service and meeting regulatory requirements. The Rockport plant, previously identified as a "super polluter," emits significant greenhouse gases and toxins. Robyn Skuya-Boss, Hoosier Chapter Director for Sierra Club, emphasized the importance of transitioning away from aging coal plants for both public health and economic reasons.