"INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House narrowly endorsed on Monday a proposal aimed at making it more difficult for Indiana electric companies to close more coal-fired power plants.

House members voted 52-41 in favor of the bill that would impose additional state reviews on utility companies for the coming year before they could move ahead with shutting down those plants. Just two Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill, which faces objections from consumer and environmental groups who argue it props up the coal industry and could stifle growth in renewable energy such as wind and solar power.

Republican Rep. Ed Soliday of Valparaiso, the bill’s sponsor, said he wants to slow down any more plant closing decisions before a state energy task force completes a report for legislators that’s due in late 2020. He said he worries about major actions happening before the Legislature can consider the report and whether to adopt a statewide energy policy next year."

Tom Davies reports for the Associated Press February 3, 2020. [2]