Trump Administration Grants Fourth Illegal Extension to Indiana Coal Plants

The Department of Energy, under the Trump Administration, announced a fourth illegal extension for the Culley and Schahfer coal‑fired power plants in Indiana. The extension follows a prior order that had kept the plants operating until December 2025. Governor Mike Braun publicly celebrated the decision, noting that the extension will raise costs for Hoosiers. The move comes after a DC Court of Appeals ruling that had previously impacted coal orders in Michigan, though the court’s specific findings are not detailed in the announcement. The extension is described as illegal by environmental advocates and is expected to keep the plants running beyond the timeframe originally set by federal regulators. The decision extends the operational life of two coal plants that have been a point of contention in federal climate policy, directly affecting energy costs and emissions in the state.