Citizens should oppose Leucadia project

I was disappointed that the IBJ didn’t cover the ongoing issue of the proposed Leucadia coal-to-gas plant and the role that Citizens Energy could play in preventing the construction of this project. A New York-based company, Leucadia, is attempting to build a coal-to-gas plant in Rockport. Coal has been linked with asthma, cancer and heart disease. Moreover, this plant will cost Indiana ratepayers $1.1 billion extra thanks to a sweetheart deal Leucadia secured with state government.

While many utilities, including Vectren, oppose this project on the basis of cost, Citizens Energy here in Indianapolis has yet to take a stance. You would think that as a charitable trust, Citizens Energy would be one of the first utilities to stand up for its ratepayers. As it is, it’s one of the last. It’s time for Citizens Energy to step up and be a hero for its ratepayers by opposing this dirty and expensive project.

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Caroline Wooten