Indiana considers generating its own nuclear energy, reducing coal use

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) reported late last week that the Indiana State Legislature is considering nuclear energy as an alternative to coal power plants.

The NEI said approximately 83 percent of the state’s electricity comes from coal-powered plants and approximately 12 percent from natural gas power plants, with none generated by nuclear energy produced within the state. With the Clean Power Plan having recently been issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state will be required to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 39 percent by 2030. A small portion of the state's energy comes from the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant in Michigan.

“We are seeing a lot of (state) legislatures that are considering different policies and different state energy officials talking about this particular topic, especially with the Clean Power Plan pending,” NEI Director of State Outreach and Advocacy Christine Csizmadia said. “A diverse portfolio for generating options is an essential characteristic of a robust and resilient system.”

Csizmadia met with Indiana state legislators recently and presented information regarding the potential that nuclear energy offers the state as a form of energy generation.

State Sen. James Merritt said during the hearing that nuclear generation should be on the table.

“It’s no secret that I think nuclear power is something that we all have to understand, and it plays a role in the ‘all of the above’ category for our energy future,” Merritt said.