For Immediate Release
March 24, 2025
Reliable Energy Statement on IURC’s Investigative Inquiry
Recognizes Duke Energy’s Strategic Approach to Reliability & Affordability
Indianapolis, IN. – Reliable Energy, Inc. (REI) President Savannah Kerstiens issued the following statement following today’s IURC Investigative Inquiry on energy affordability and Indiana’s investor-owned utilities:
“Affordability is essential, and Reliable Energy commends Chair Zay, Counselor Gray, and the members of the Commission for today’s Investigative Inquiry into Indiana’s five investor-owned utilities. A key part of affordability and transparency is to scrutinize both past and future plans to retire existing generation during this time of scarcity, particularly as utilities themselves acknowledge rising demand and a rapidly expanding customer base.
“In particular, AES should have addressed the costs associated with converting its coal-fired units, assets that have not yet been fully paid off by ratepayers, to natural gas steam generation. This approach has been identified by MISO’s accredited capacity framework as a loss of winter capacity. At a time when affordability and reliability are increasingly critical, shifting toward more expensive, lower-accredited resources raises serious concerns about system performance, resilience, and long-term costs for Indiana ratepayers.
“By contrast, Reliable Energy appreciates Duke Energy’s more balanced and pragmatic approach. Duke acknowledged its decision to extend the life of the Gibson coal plant beyond 2032, citing recent federal policy changes and resulting cost savings for customers amid rising demand. The company also highlighted its compliance with Governor Braun’s executive order to preserve in-state generation, including exploring the potential sale of the Cayuga coal plant to a third party under an agreement approved by the IURC in coordination with Reliable Energy.
“If successful, this approach could save ratepayers close to 100 million dollars by avoiding demolition costs, preserving Hoosier jobs at the facility, and maintaining critical in-state generation capacity.
“Reliable Energy hopes the IURC will continue its efforts and prioritize the importance of maintaining dispatchable, in-state generation resources and taking a thoughtful, reliability-focused approach as Indiana works to meet growing energy demand while protecting affordability for consumers.”
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