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Energy Secretary Issues Emergency Orders to Ensure Indiana Coal-fired Facilities Remain Open to Prevent Midwest Blackouts

LCG, December 24, 2025--The U.S. Secretary of Energy today issued emergency orders to keep two Indiana coal plants operational, with the stated goal to ensure Americans in the Midwest region of the United States have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity heading into the winter months. The orders direct CenterPoint Energy, the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) to take all measures necessary to ensure specified generation units at both the F.B. Culley and R.M. Schahfer generating stations in Indiana are available to operate.

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RWE and Indiana Michigan Power Company Sign Long-term PPA for 200 MW Wind Project

LCG, December 18, 2025--RWE and Indiana Michigan Power Company (I&M), an American Electric Power (AEP) company, today announced their partnering to provide new wind power generation capacity online to meet Indiana’s growing electricity demand. The companies signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the total output from RWE’s 200 MW Prairie Creek wind project in Blackford County, Indiana. I&M will purchase electricity from the wind project, which will further diversify its portfolio and be consistent with its all-of-the-above strategy to secure generation for its rapidly growing electricity demand.

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Industry News

California Biomass Plants' Viability Uncertain

LCG, December 23, 2002--Biomass plants in California's smoggy Central Valley, which have received state funding to assist with higher costs relative to other renewable power sources, could close within six months due to the state's unprecedented budget deficit.

Some of the plants, which require labor-intensive preparation of waste from agricultural sources, had previously closed in the 1990's, but then started up again when subsidies amounting to $30 million were approved by the state for three years, starting in 2000. The grants were viewed by legislators who approved them as a way to reduce air pollution in the Central Valley more cost-effectively than could be achieved by other means. Planning officials with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District say that for $1,400, the biomass plants can reduce particulates by a ton, whereas $5,710 might be incurred elsewhere to achieve the same effect. Without the biomass plants, field waste is burned at the farms where it is generated, resulting in 95 percent more soot, produced by 100 millions tons of waste each year.

Plants like Delano Energy may be able to continue operating, by virtue of their owners having signed contracts with a utility, in this case San Diego Gas and Electric. At other plants, like Madera Power in Firebaugh and Dinuba Energy in Tulare county, the uncertainty associated with California's projected $30 billion deficit has meant that lenders are unwilling to step in unless the plants are operating under 15- to 20-year contracts. Speaking to the Sacramento Bee, Sarah Reyes, D-Fresno, said, "Biomass is important not only for air quality, but for energy production." However, because of the deficit, she noted, "there's not going to be an opportunity for the state to subsidize them."

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