Dive Summary:
- Six days after coming online in early June, Duke Energy’s new $3.5 billion Edwardsport coal-gasification plant in Indiana broke down, regulatory filings show.
- Damaged fans that help vaporize wastewater at the plant caused the shutdown as the fans are necessary to operate the plant’s two gasifyers, Duke officials said. Critics are weary customers will have to foot the bill for repairs despite a cap on plant-related charges. The plant has already exceeded costs by $1.5 billion.
- Since closing, the plant remained offline for nearly a month and has only operated intermittently since July 9.
From the article:
“A review of Duke’s regulatory filings reveals a long list of problems the plant has encountered since the beginning of the year, including cracked pipes, broken drive shafts and failed pumps.”
