The state has approved Duke Energy's rate increase, but for less than half as much money as the utility had requested. The utility had asked for $395 million last July and was approved for $146 million.

Duke Energy hopes to double its renewable energy sources within five years. But it also plans to keep some coal plants running for two more decades and add natural gas pipelines.

Duke Energy wants to raise the average resident's bill by about $24 a month. The utility says that money would go to pay for everything from metering infrastructure, to helping retire some coal plants earlier.

Duke Energy in July asked the state Utility Regulatory Commission to approve a 15 percent rate increase over two years that would boost its annual revenue by about $395 million.

The environmental group says some regulated utilities like Duke are self-scheduling coal plants. That means theyre deciding to run coal plants even when energy from the grid is cheaper.

Duke Energy is seeking the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's approval for the rate hike for its 840,000 Indiana electric customers.

The coal-burning Wabash River Generating Station near Terre Haute began operating in 1953 and was closed in 2016.

Duke Energy announced workforce development grants for six Indiana organizations Thursday afternoon. Its aimed at providing new talent to the industrys aging workforce.

Other schools in the state, such as the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University, have their own solar projects already underway.

Duke Energy released its 20-year plan this week including hopes to retire some of its coal plants early. But environmentalists say the utility isnt keeping up with the faster trend toward renewable energy.