Vectren proposal commits SW Indiana to fossil fuel dependence

Evansville, IN-- At a press conference today, Vectren CEO Carl Chapman announced plans to build an 800 to 900 MW fracked gas plant that would replace generation from Vectren’s coal-burning power plants and commit Vectren customers to fossil fuel dependence for decades to come.

Meanwhile, news broke earlier today that Vectren has “launched a sale process” of its electric utility in Indiana, which represents only a third of Vectren’s business. Vectren, which is primarily a gas company, is seeking to increase its profits while customers take on all the risks of this fracked gas plant proposal.

In response, Wendy Bredhold, Senior Campaign Representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Indiana said,

“Vectren’s proposed fracked gas plant is larger than the coal-burning power plants it would replace. We are concerned that a plant this size will crowd out the need for any meaningful investments in renewable energy for 40 to 50 years. Vectren customers already have the highest electricity bills in the state. Does Vectren need such a large plant to meet customer demand, or are they making us pay for a fracked gas plant that will make profits for Vectren - or its buyer - at the expense of their customers? Instead, Vectren can lead Evansville to a clean energy future with a commitment to renewable energy such as solar and wind, and a robust energy efficiency plan that will save money and create jobs, rather than locking our community into dependency on polluting and dangerous fossil fuels for decades to come.”

Local Vectren customers and environmental advocates continue to urge the company to look into clean and renewable energy options that do not rely so heavily on fossil fuels, while looking for long-term answers that would curb customer electricity bills that are already the highest in the state.