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Last updated on Sunday, July 15, 2012
(MARTINSVILLE) - The Indianapolis Power and Light Co. has sent out requests for proposals to replace the electricity now being generated by the coal-burning Eagle Valley station north of Martinsville.
The move will help the company comply with pollution control mandates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to IPL plans, the Eagle Valley plant will be retired by 2016. There are now about 100 employees at Eagle Valley, which began its operation in 1949. IPL also plans on shutting down several similar generating units at the company's Harding Street station in Indianapolis.
Crystal Livers-Powers, IPL's news media spokeswoman, the company "is now evaluating a variety of options, including the construction of a new 600 megawatt natural gas-fired combined cycle generating plant somewhere in central Indiana."
She also indicated the company also was exploring the purchase of an existing power plant, buying the electricity from another utility or possible joint-ownership agreements.
Presently, the Eagle Valley plant provides 341 megawatts of power to IPL and the units at Harding Street contribute 289 megawatts.
Livers-Powers said the company sent the requests for proposals to various power providers and major construction companies, as well as advertising in utility publications.
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