I&M proposes Rockport Energy Center, eyes 2030 startup for natural gas plant at retiring coal site

Rockport–Indiana Michigan Power has asked state regulators to approve a natural gas plant at its Rockport Generating Station, aiming to replace the site’s retiring coal units with a new source of power and jobs for Spencer County.

The utility, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, filed a request Monday with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for a 1,520-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle facility, according to a company announcement. If regulators approve the project, I&M expects a decision in early 2027, with construction starting that year and the plant entering service in the summer of 2030.

I&M said the project would support about 1,200 construction jobs and create 30 to 40 permanent operating positions once the plant is running.

For local officials, the announcement offers a path forward for a site that has anchored the county’s economy for more than 40 years as its coal-fired units head toward retirement.

“This proposal is a pivotal opportunity for Spencer County,” said Heather Gries, chair of the Spencer County Economic Development Authority (SCEDA) and a Spencer County commissioner, in a statement. She said the investment could strengthen the local economy, draw new businesses and keep the county positioned as an energy leader.

Jim Seiler, president of the Spencer County Board of Commissioners, framed the announcement as a continuation of a decades-long relationship between the utility and the county. He said commissioners, the county council and SCEDA have been preparing for an opportunity like this and will work to see the project through responsibly.

Commissioner Mac Webb said the project would help secure the county’s fiscal future and create opportunities “for future generations,” while crediting the collaboration among local leaders that helped bring the proposal forward.

County officials also pointed to the Spencer County Council’s role in preparing the county’s finances and economic development capacity for a project of this scale.

The Rockport plant has operated for more than 40 years, providing energy production and skilled jobs in Spencer County. County leaders said the site’s existing infrastructure, available land and experienced workforce make it well-suited to host new generation.

SCEDA said it will lead economic development work tied to the project as it moves through the regulatory process, including connecting I&M with workforce, education, labor and business partners; identifying infrastructure and supplier needs; and helping local workers and businesses prepare to compete for related contracts and jobs.

County leaders emphasized that current Rockport employees, along with future workers, will be central to the transition, with workforce training and coordination among education and labor partners considered essential to connecting residents to new jobs.

The project still requires approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. SCEDA and county commissioners said they will continue updating residents, employers and regional stakeholders as the review moves forward.