A recent report exposes Indiana’s faltering push toward clean energy, with CenterPoint Energy, a key utility provider for Perry County, facing sharp criticism for delaying coal plant closures. Released on September 26, 2025, the Sierra Club’s 2025 utility scorecard downgraded CenterPoint from a B to a D due to its revised 20-year plan, which now extends coal operations past 2030—seven years beyond earlier commitments.

This shift, fueled by surging data center energy demands and Gov.

Mike Braun’s pro-coal policies, spells trouble for Perry County’s 19,200 residents, who rely on the Ohio River for economic vitality and face rising utility costs alongside persistent air pollution. Perry County’s economy, tied to the Ohio River Scenic Byway and industries like manufacturing, is particularly vulnerable. Coal plants, still active in the Illinois Basin where Perry sits, contribute to Indiana’s rank as the seventh-largest coal producer, mining nearly 24 million tons annually.

These plants degrade air quality, with groups like Ohio Valley Safe Air noting pollution levels in nearby Evansville exceeding World Health Organization guidelines.

For communities like Tell City and Cannelton, this means heightened risks of respiratory issues, threatening both public health and tourism appeal. Meanwhile, CenterPoint’s delayed transition to renewables could drive up electricity bills, hitting households and businesses hard in a region where industrial users consume 43% of the state’s electricity. The scorecard slams Indiana utilities for missing clean energy targets, including a 2035 goal for 100% clean energy and halting new natural gas plants.

Gov.

Braun’s push to sustain coal infrastructure has drawn fire, with no utilities opting into Indiana’s voluntary 10% renewable energy standard by 2025. For Perry County, this creates a tug-of-war: coal jobs may persist short-term, but prolonged reliance risks economic stagnation as renewable energy sectors grow elsewhere. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, overseeing CenterPoint’s plans, is a key player to watch, as are local advocates urging cleaner energy to protect the Ohio River’s ecosystem. This uncovered story highlights a critical gap between state policy and Perry County’s needs.

While data centers boost Indiana’s economy, they strain the grid, delaying sustainable progress. Residents face tough choices: endure higher costs and dirtier air or push for faster renewable adoption. Exact future rate hikes remain unclear, but the urgency for community input on CenterPoint’s plans is undeniable.