NiSource's EnergyUSA-TPC Gains FERC Acceptance Of Utility Power Bid
Power would be supplied from Whiting Clean Energy facility
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - - NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) today announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted proposed terms for NiSource's EnergyUSA-TPC subsidiary to provide intermediate dispatchable power to Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO). Approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) is also necessary before service may be provided under the arrangement. The IURC began hearings on the matter May 23.
"FERC's action is an important initial step in the process of providing critically needed energy supplies for Indiana electric consumers this summer," said Robert C. Skaggs, Jr., NiSource president. "The Whiting Clean Energy plant will be able to provide flexible, reliable and competitively priced power necessary to meet regional capacity and reliability requirements, once IURC approval is received. "Furthermore, the Whiting Clean Energy plant is well positioned to sell power in what we believe will be an improved Midwest market for wholesale electricity this summer," Skaggs added.
FERC accepted a power purchase agreement between EnergyUSA-TPC and NIPSCO under which EnergyUSA-TPC would provide 230 megawatts (MWs) of intermediate dispatchable power to NIPSCO. EnergyUSA-TPC will be utilizing the Whiting Clean Energy plant to supply the power. EnergyUSA-TPC, Whiting Clean Energy and NIPSCO are subsidiaries of NiSource Inc.
Whiting Clean Energy is a 525-megawatt combined cycle gas cogeneration facility located on the BP Whiting Refinery property. The plant produces electricity to sell into the Midwest wholesale market and provides steam to BP.
About NiSource
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), based in Merrillville, Ind., is a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution. NiSource operating companies deliver energy to 3.7 million customers located within the high-demand energy corridor stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England. Information about NiSource and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com.
Source: NiSource Inc.