Activists in southern Indiana are calling victory this week after the state threw a major hurdle at a proposed coal-to-diesel plant there.

CenterPoint expects converting its Culley 3 coal unit and moving to mostly renewable energy will reduce the company's carbon emissions by about 95 percent and save customers almost $80 million in the next 20 years.

It's part of the utility's long-term plan to power AES customers with 13 percent natural gas and at least 78 percent wind, solar, and battery storage by 2042.

Peabody workers at a mine near the southeastern Indiana town of Francisco were at risk because the mine manager failed to act as a drill released potentially-explosive methane in July 2018, according to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission ruling released earlier this month.

Activists say NIPSCO's customers shouldnt have to pay for what they call an incomplete cleanup.

A company hoping to build a controversial coal-to-diesel plant in southern Indiana has asked for more time before starting construction. Residents and activists who oppose the plant hope the state will look closely at the company's plan -- and allow the public to comment on them -- before approving the extension.

The Environmental Protection Agency hopes states like Indiana will use new greenhouse gas inventory tools to reduce their emissions.

The utility plans to test for toxic heavy metals at about 400 homes and businesses where coal ash was used as fill in construction.

The global electric utility AES announced it will go coal free by 2025. But does that mean AES Indiana will fully close its Petersburg coal plant by then? It's hard to say.

The author of the bill, Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) said banks in favor of clean energy are "discriminating against" Indiana businesses by choosing not to lend to or invest in coal, oil, and natural gas companies.