Coal Plants to Remain Open to Prevent Blackouts in Midwest: Energy Secretary

The Marshall Steam Station coal power plant operates near Mooresville, N.C., on March 3, 2024. Chris Carlson/AP PhotoSecretary of Energy Chris Wright issued emergency orders on Dec. 23 to keep two coal plants in Indiana, scheduled to shut down this month, operational to ensure that Americans in the Midwest can access “affordable, reliable, and secure electricity heading into the winter months,” the Department of Energy (DOE) said in a statement on Dec. 24.“The orders direct CenterPoint Energy, the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) to take all measures necessary to ensure specified generation units at both the F.B. Culley and R.M. Schahfer generating stations in Indiana are available to operate,” DOE said.