Commission approves plans for Blackford County solar power plant

HARTFORD CITY, Ind. — The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on Wednesday approved plans by Indiana Michigan Power for four new solar power plants, including one in Blackford County.

According to a news release, I&M will invest about $1 billion in the two largest plants, the Lake Trout plant in Blackford County and the Mayapple plant in Pulaski County, which the power company will own and operate.

I&M will purchase the power generated from the other two independently operated solar power plants, in DeKalb and Elkhart counties.

The projects in Blackford and Pulaski counties are set to begin construction in fall 2024 and be generating power by spring 2026. The other two plants are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

"The developers of the four sites have been working with local officials in the four counties to address any concerns and meet the requirements to gain local approval," according to the release.

Approval of the Lake Trout facility by the Michigan Public Service Commission is still pending.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission determined that "the four new solar power plants will help serve the public’s energy needs and are designated as Clean Energy Projects," according to the release.

“The availability of renewable energy is important to support economic development opportunities in the communities I&M serves," said Steve Baker, I&M president and chief operating officer.

Baker said the new plants wound "diversify I&M’s energy mix, support reliability, provide environmental benefits and safeguard against fuel-cost volatility.”

According to the power company, the new plants will be "capable of generating energy to power more than 200,000 typical homes by mid-2026."

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Commission approves plans for Blackford County solar power plant