I&M Announces Solar Facility Partnership with the University of Notre Dame
June 12, 2019
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an operating company of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), plans to build and operate its largest solar generation facility. The proposed project would be located in St. Joseph County and have a capacity of 20 megawatts, which is enough energy to power 2,700 homes annually.
“This large-scale solar project aligns with I&M’s push to diversify our generation fleet and to ensure a bright future for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Toby Thomas, I&M President and Chief Operating Officer. “The South Bend Solar Project would help local economic development and would give our customers an opportunity to take advantage of locally provided renewable resources.”
I&M is also proposing to partner on the solar facility with the University of Notre Dame as both organizations commit to a sustainable future. The University of Notre Dame and I&M will work together to ensure educational opportunities and research benefits of the project are realized. Notre Dame will further its sustainability goals by supporting renewable energy based on 40 percent of the output of the solar facility.
"Notre Dame is pleased to be partnering with our local energy partner Indiana Michigan Power on this significant solar energy project,” said Paul Kempf, Senior Director of Utilities and Maintenance for Notre Dame. “The University looks forward to expanding its portfolio of renewable and recoverable energy sources and achieving the positive environmental benefits this project would provide. It is important to us to work within our own community to create such projects that have a local impact on our environment and economy."
The South Bend Solar Project would be located near the Indiana Toll Road and about 10 miles northeast of the University of Notre Dame. It is subject to the approval of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and is expected to be in operation by late 2020. More efficient renewable energy resources in the community along with the support of Notre Dame are important to I&M customers and beneficial in attracting businesses.
Here are the documents filed by Indiana & Michigan (I&M) yesterday (6/12/19) with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in Cause No. 45245:
IndMich_Verified Application Solar_061219
IndMich_Testimony Direct Auer_061219
IndMich_Testimony Direct DeRuntz_061219
IndMich_Testimony Direct Thomas_061219
IndMich_Submission of Workpapers_061219
The IURC Issued a docket entry requesting information from I&M.
20190703110718343 45245 DOCKET ENTRY (2)
I&M's responses to the IURC docket entry are as follows:
45245 IndMichPowerCo Response Docket Entry and OUCC Motion Dismiss 071219
45245 IndMichPower Response IURC DR 1_1 Attachment 1 071219
45245 IndMichPower Response IURC DR 1_2 Attachment 1 071219
On 8/12/2019, the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) filed the following testimony:
45245 OUCCÂ Testimony of Lauren MÂ Aguilar_08122019
45245 OUCC Testimony of Wes R Blakley_08122019
45245 OUCC Testimony of John E Haselden Redacted
On 8/26/19, I&M filed its rebuttal testimony to the OUCC's prefiled testimony as follows:
45245 IndMich Thomas Rebuttal Testimony 08 26 2019 18 pages
45245 IndMich Auer Public Rebuttal Testimony 08 26 2019 24 pages
45245 IndMich Torpey Rebuttal Testimony 08 26 2019 13 pages
45245 IndMich DeRuntz Rebuttal Testimony 08 26 2019 27 pages
45245 IndMich Lucas Rebuttal Testimony 08 26 2019 634 pages
The testimony of David Lucas includes:
- Attachment DAL-1R: executed copy of the 1 Alliance Agreement with Notre Dame, including the executed SREC Agreement.
- Attachment DAL-2R and 2C, which are public and confidential copies of the executed EPC contract for the SBSP.
- A myriad of the company responses to various OUCC Data Requests
No evidentiary hearing was held in this case but here are the most recent filings in this case.
45245 Indiana Michigan Power Company Submission of Proposed Order 09 17 2019 (2)
45245_OUCC_Proposed Order_092419
45245_OUCC_Brief in Support of Proposed Order_092419
45245 Indiana Michigan Reply to OUCC Post Hearing Brief and Proposed Order 09 30 2019
On 10/29/19, a Joint Petition to Reopen the Proceeding was filed with the IURC.
A new procedural schedule is proposed as follows:
45245_IndMich_Joint Petition to Reopen Proceeding_102919
I&M Gets Green Light for Solar Facility
SOUTH BEND - Indiana Michigan Power has received the go-ahead from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to build and operate a new solar facility in the Michiana area. I&M will partner on project with the University of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame has commuted to support 40% of the renewable attributes of the solar facility. The institution will also partner with the company to coordinate on educational and research projects.
The solar facility is the company’s largest to date and will have a capacity of 20 megawatts, which is enough energy to power 2,700 homes annually.
“The solar facility will allow I&M customers and the entire Michiana area to take advantage of local green resources and assist local economic development efforts to attract businesses that are interested in renewable energy options,” said Toby Thomas, I&M president and chief operating officer. “I&M is transforming our generation fleet, and this project ensures a bright future for our customers and our communities we serve.”
Construction is slated to begin in April, and the facility is expected to be in operation later this fall.
Read the IURC Order HERE: 45245 ORDER 20200219105101261