The utilities say theyre losing money because building closures have driven down the demand for energy.

The original version of the bill aimed to keep coal plants open until Indiana could come up with a statewide energy plan. But the current version only requires utilities to note planned coal plant closures in their long-term energy plans.

The Indiana NAACP says keeping coal plants open longer would negatively affect the health of low-income and minority communities in the state.

A bill that would make it harder for utilities to close coal plants in Indiana passed in the state House on Monday 52 to 41.

The bill's author says utilities are relying more and more on renewable energy sources and the energy marketplace -- and that could threaten reliability.

Indianapolis Power & Light plans to close two of its four coal units at its Petersburg plant by 2023. But environmentalists say IPL needs to move away from coal more quickly.

One farm being planned by the company near the northern Indiana city of Peru would cost $19 million and have about 40,000 solar modules.

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

The loan is among $181 million in financing the USDA is making to upgrade rural electric systems in 10 states.

The moratoriums architect says he wants to ensure the states energy future is balanced.