(FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING)
The Merom coal plant in Sullivan County was supposed to shut down in May of this year.
Now that a coal mining subsidiary has purchased the plant, activists say it could run indefinitely and needs to be held accountable for water, air, and solid waste violations.
Environmental activist groups say the plant has repeatedly sent excess iron and ammonia into the Turtle Creek Reservoir and its toxic coal ash pollution is seeping into the groundwater — harming wildlife, corroding drinking water pipes, and clogging water treatment systems.
They say the plant also produces unacceptable levels of smoke — making it harder to breathe for residents nearby, but the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued few violation notices since the plant’s original retirement date was announced
Sameer Doshi is an attorney with the group Earthjustice
A new cryptocurrency mining facility is set to open next to the Merom coal plant and get some of its power from the plant through a rural utility served by Hoosier Energy.
Doshi says the fact that the crypto mine will consume a large amount of energy likely played into why Hoosier Energy changed its mind about buying energy from the plant.
But whether that played into the company’s decision is unclear.
Indiana Public Broadcasting reporters could not reach out to Hoosier Energy, Hallador, or the crypto mining company AboutBit in time for comment.
