Indiana residents are strongly urged to write in comments and concerns regarding Duke Energy’s proposal for a coal fired power plant. A public hearing has been scheduled for December 20th, however, environmental groups have decided to boycott the event. Many have asked for an extension for the hearing due to the timing of the season, but the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has not provided an adequate response.
The list of negatives of having a coal fired plant is long ranging from health issues to global warning. Wyoming and Kansas have opted out of coal plants due to health and environmental reasons. Indiana, it seems, has yet to have any concern for it. The executive director for the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Grant Smith, worries that power rates to increase as a result from the high cost of construction of the plant and the cost of obtaining the coal itself.
Indiana residents have until December 31st to contact IDEM with their concerns of the proposed power plant.
