INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The project manager for a $2.8 billion southern Indiana coal gasification plant says a deal to sell its gas to consumers for 30 years provides energy diversification for Indiana.
Indiana Gasification's Mark Lubbers supported the deal Thursday before the Senate Utility Committee. The Evansville Courier & Press reports (https://bit.ly/12m6lsx) another company executive says legislation requiring rebates to consumers every three years if the plant's gas costs too much would kill the deal.
However, Indiana Farm Bureau lobbyist Bob Kraft says utility ratepayers would be underwriting the cost of the Rockport project, and Indiana Manufacturers Association lobbyist Patrick Bennett says it's not the role of the state to subsidize companies.
Committee Chairman Jim Merritt said the panel will vote next week on whether to send the legislation to the full Senate.