Duke Energy Indiana successfully settled remaining claims with four consumer and environmental groups related to its $3.3 billion integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant in Edwardsport, Indiana in January 2016, ending all significant opposition to the project.
The settlement follows a lengthy process of appeals of five Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) decisions approving a settlement with the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and certain industrial ratepayers over the recoverable amount of construction costs associated with Duke Energy's construction of the IGCC facility. Various consumer groups, including the Citizens Action Coalition and the Sierra Club, contested the settlement agreement and appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals confirmed in March 2014 the Commission's December 2012 orders approving and implementing the settlement. The appellants then sought transfer from the Indiana Supreme Court, which the settling parties opposed. The Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer in November 2014. The IGCC is one of the largest energy projects in Indiana's history.
