Indiana’s electric cooperatives applaud Supreme Court’s stay of Clean Power Plan implementation

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Indiana’s electric cooperatives and their generation and transmission (G&T) partners applaud Tuesday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a stay on the implementation of the Environmental ProtectioniStock_000014724462Large Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan.

Indiana Electric Cooperatives, Hoosier Energy and Wabash Valley Power maintain the EPA has exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act. They further assert the agency has not taken into account the cost burdens and lack of viable technology needed to comply with the Clean Power Plan regulations.

“We have a responsibility to represent the best interest of our member-owners and we are concerned about the impact of this rule,” said Tom VanParis, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “The stay allows the court time to fully examine the complex rule and issue a judgement on its legality, while allowing electric cooperatives to avoid irreversible and costly changes to electric utility infrastructure.”

Indiana’s electric cooperatives and their G&T partners are dedicated to the communities they serve and their mission to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity. That is why all three of the organizations support a responsible energy policy that balances Hoosiers’ energy needs with environmental concerns through an “all-of-the-above” strategy that includes energy efficiency programs, natural gas, renewables and coal.

Indiana Electric Cooperatives, located in Indianapolis, represents 38 electric distribution cooperatives that serve 1.3 million Hoosiers in 89 of the state’s 92 counties. The cooperatives are collectively the second largest electricity provider in Indiana. For more information, visit indianaec.org.

Hoosier Energy is a generation and transmission cooperative with headquarters in Bloomington, Ind. The G&T provides electric power and services to 18 electric distribution cooperatives in southern and central Indiana and southeastern Illinois. Hoosier Energy operates the coal-fired Merom Generating Station, three natural gas power plants, several renewable energy plants and a 1,700-mile transmission network. For more information, visit hepn.com.

Wabash Valley Power Association is a not-for-profit electric generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative based in Indianapolis. The G&T provides wholesale electricity to 23 retail electric distribution cooperatives in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. Collectively, these cooperatives supply electricity to more than 350,000 homes, farms and businesses. For more information, visit wvpa.com.