INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Duke Energy's chairman is defending its $2.9 billion coal-gasification plant in southern Indiana, saying that while he's troubled by its rising costs he believes it will generate cleaner electricity for years to come.
Duke chairman James Rogers testified for more than three hours Wednesday before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, which is considering whether to allow the company to pass more than $300 million in cost overruns on to customers.
The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/upV3bj ) that Rogers said the plant being built near Edwardsport is 96 percent complete and should be operating a year from now, adding generating capacity as Duke begins to retire some aging plants.
An attorney for some large industrial customers says Duke is trying to shift blame for problems with the project.
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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com
