Decommissioned Gary Power Plant to Come Down

Merrillville-based NIPSCO has announced plans to level a northeast Indiana power plant that has gone largely unused for 15 years. The demolition of the Dean H. Mitchell Electric Generating Station in Gary is expected to take two years.

NIPSCO says clearing the property will help open it up for potential future development with a focus on creating investment, jobs and a tax base for the region." The parcel is located on the Lake Michigan shore.

Executive Vice President Violet Sistovaris says "this is a positive step forward for the community, our customers and the environment as we clear the path for new investments and opportunities for the future. While the energy industry is in the midst of change, we remain focused on continuing to serve the needs of our customers in a way that is cost-effective, reliable and sustainable."

The station was built in 1955 and taken offline in 2001, only being used periodically since. The utility says recommissioning the coal-fired plant would cost too much to overcome its age and meet federal standards.

Like many other energy providers in the state, the NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) subsidiary is continuing to invest in more non-coal fuel options such as natural gas, hydroelectric, wind power and rooftop solar.