NW Ind. power plant set for closure next year
HAMMOND, Ind. — The owner of a northwestern Indiana electric generating plant plans to shut it down at the end of 2012 after more than 55 years of operation.
Officials of Virginia-based Dominion Resources say that stand-alone coal plants such as State Line Energy in Hammond have become less competitive with natural gas power plants as natural gas prices fall and coal prices increase.
Company spokesman Dan Genest tells The Times of Munster that proposed environmental regulations would require major upgrades to the plant along Lake Michigan that generates power that is sold to utilities.
United Steelworkers local president Dave Weaver says about 120 people work at the plant.
Environmental groups have criticized the plant over its air pollution emissions.