(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO is continuing with plans to downsize its coal burning operations.  The power company recently announced the closure of two more coal fired units at its facilities in Wheatfield, south of Valparaiso.  Two of the four units in Wheatfield will be taken off line by the end of the year.  They've been generating electricity using coal since the seventies. 

The change is part of NIPSCO’s plans to become coal free by 2028.  NIPSCO had already announced plans to shut down the Michigan City generating station by 2028.  By relying on outsourcing and renewable energy, the company hopes to cut costs by as much as $4 billion long term. 

NIPSCO’s parent company, NiSource, also announced a down year for its finances.  The Merrillville based energy company reported a net loss of $72.7 million last year, compared to net income of $327 million the previous year.   However, NiSource reportedly rebounded in the fourth quarter, netting nearly $71 million to finish the year strong.