NEW ALBANY, Ind. (AP) — Duke Energy is working on a multimillion-dollar proposal for a natural gas pipeline that would go underneath the Ohio River to a southern Indiana power plant.
The pipeline is part of a plan Duke is considering to convert two of the plant’s four coal-burning generators to gas in order to reduce pollution as it agreed to in a federal lawsuit settlement.
The new 19-mile pipeline would run from an existing pipeline southwest of Louisville, Ky., and be buried 80 feet under the Ohio River, then ending at Duke’s Gallagher plant near New Albany.
Duke spokesman Lew Middleton said the company expected a long permit process before deciding by early 2012 whether to proceed with the project.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke agreed in December to spend about $80 million to cut sulfur dioxide emissions at the New Albany plant by nearly 35,000 tons a year.
That was part of the company’s $93 million deal with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over clean air violations at the plant where unauthorized changes significantly boosted air pollution.
Environmentalists have called the plant, which dates back to 1958, one of the nation’s dirtiest in terms of air pollution produced per unit of electricity.
Harrison County Commissioner James Goldman said he first found out about the project last week in a letter from the company. A member of Duke’s pipeline management team also spoke this week to the County Council about the plans.
While local leaders still have questions about the project, Goldman said, “I don’t see any problem with it as long as our people in the area are treated fairly.”
Army Corps of Engineers spokeswoman Carol Laboshosky said the agency knew little so far about Duke’s plans, but any permit application must address how the Ohio River’s water quality would be protected and how damage to the river and wetlands would be minimized.
Duke officials say building the pipeline would require the company to buy easements for as many as 100 parcels of land, including property owned by a sand quarry and the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino.
Breaking News
Duke planning gas pipeline to S. Ind. power plant
- Breaking News
-
-
Body of man found in river
Daviess County Sheriff’s officers and Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers have recovered the body of a Vincennes man who drowned in the West Fork of the White River Saturday.
-
NEW! Divers believe they have located man's body in river
A 28-year-old Bicknell man, Larry Worland, is presumed dead after driving his four-wheeler into the west fork of the White River late Saturday night. Indiana Conservation Officers believe they found the body late Monday afternoon, but were still working on its recovery.
-
Petty, Helms win races in Daviess County Primary
Only 4,417 of 18,770 registered Daviess County voters cast their votes at the polls in Tuesday's primary election, for a 23.53 percent voter turnout.
But it was enough for locals Laura Petty and Dennis Helms who won their races in the Republican Primary. -
INDOT to close SR 257
The Indiana Department of Transportation announces that traffic on SR 257 in Daviess County will be stopped temporarily. -
Zeller and Watford to return to IU next season
Christian Watford and Cody Zeller helped Indiana's basketball program turn things around this past season.
They have even bigger plans for next season.
The two players said Tuesday they would return to school next season, putting off the NBA and making the Hoosiers one of the Big Ten favorites
-
Williams sentenced to 65 years
Derek Franklin Williams, 49, of Washington, was sentenced Monday morning to 65 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Kim, Feb. 4, 2011.
-
WILLIAMS SENTENCED TO 65 YEARS
Derek Franklin Williams, 49, was sentenced this morning to 65 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Kim.
Daviess Superior Court Judge Dean A. Sobecki said he sentenced Williams to the maximum because the aggravating circumstance of committing the murder in the home with two children present outweighed the mitigating circumstances of Williams’ good record in the military and as a civilian employee, as well as his lack of previous criminal record.
Williams will receive credit for time served. -
U.S. 50 EAST OF SHOALS CLOSED
Due to a semi accident, U.S. 50 east of Shoals is closed. The Martin County Sheriff's Department will notify drivers when the road is open.
-
5 killed in Knox County crash
Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris reported five occupants of a passenger car were killed when the vehicle drove under a southbound semi tractor-trailer on U.S. 41 at the intersection with old U.S. 41.
-
Loogootee wins 1st state title
Will Nonte scored four points for Loogootee in Saturday¹s Class A Indiana basketball championship game, but his final two may be the most important scored by any Loogootee player.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
Body of man found in river
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
