NIPSCO may close most remaining coal-fired generation by ’23

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. says it’s considering retiring four of its five remaining coal-fired electricity generating units within five years and the other within a decade.

The utility told a meeting of customers, consumer representatives, environmental organizations and other stakeholders Wednesday that internal planning shows a possible shutdown of the four-unit Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield no later than 2023 and its Michigan City Generating by 2028.

NIPSCO says the retirements are not yet final but are “the most viable option for customers” under a plan to be submitted to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission by Nov. 1. The five units generate about 1,800 megawatts.

The Merrillville-based company says retiring the units “will significantly accelerate carbon reductions across the NIPSCO footprint.”