INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Indiana regulators have approved Indianapolis Power & Light Co.'s nearly $670 million plan to upgrade two of its power plants as part of a push to meet tougher environmental regulations.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission endorsed IPL's plan to build a $631 million natural gas turbine power plant near Martinsville. That 650-megawatt plant will replace six coal-fired power units IPL will retire in the face of new federal mercury and air quality standards.
The utility also received IURC approval Wednesday for a $36 million plan to convert two coal-fired units to natural gas at its power plant complex on Indianapolis' south side.
But environmentalists say IPL will continue adding to the Indianapolis metropolitan area's air quality woes by keeping its “dirtiest'' coal-fired unit running in Indianapolis for years to come.
