Indiana is largely dependent on fossil fuels for its energy supplies. In recent years, petroleum has become an important power source for automobiles, home heating, and electricity. Nevertheless, coal has continued to be the state's major source of power, meeting about half of Indiana's energy needs.
In 2000 Indiana's total per capita energy consumption was 457 million Btu (115.2 million kcal), ranking it 8th among the 50 states.
The state has no nuclear power plants. In 1984, construction of the planned Marble Hill nuclear power plant on the Ohio River near Madison was permanently suspended by the Public Service Co. of Indiana because of escalating construction costs; total cost estimates had risen from $1.4 billion during the planning stage in 1973 to more than $7 billion.
Electric power produced in Indiana in 1999 (utility and nonutility) totaled 121.6 billion kWh; total installed capacity was 22 million kW, 87% of it provided by coal-fired plants. Privately owned power plants account for nearly all of Indiana's production and installed capacity. The major electric utilities were Northern Indiana Public Service Co., Indiana and Michigan Electric Co., Public Service Co. of Indiana, Indianapolis Power and Light Co., and Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co.
At the end of 2001, Indiana's estimated proved reserves of petroleum totaled 12 million barrels, and production of crude petroleum totaled 5,000 barrels per day in 2002.
In 1998 there were 3 underground coal mines and 38 strip mines active in the state. Indiana's coal production in 2000 was estimated at 28 million tons of coal. Recoverable reserves totaled 397 million tons in 2000.