Breed Generating Station — Sullivan County Indiana (Retired)
Status: ⚫ Retired / Demolished
The Breed Generating Station was a coal-fired power plant operated by Indiana Michigan Power Company (an AEP subsidiary) in Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana. It operated from approximately the early 1960s until the early 1990s, when it was closed due to the extreme shallowing of the adjacent Wabash River preventing barge coal delivery. The plant was subsequently demolished.
Quick Facts
- Physical Address: Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana (demolished; no current civic address)
- Location: Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana (Fairbanks Township)
- Capacity: ~450–496 MW (sources vary; primary IURC historical record not reviewed; use with caution)
- Technology: Coal / thermal steam
- Owner at Closure: Indiana Michigan Power Company (AEP subsidiary)
- Closure: Early 1990s
- Reason for Closure: Wabash River shallowing prevented barge delivery of coal; rail transport deemed prohibitively expensive
- Demolition: Conducted by Brandenburg Industrial Service
- Last Verified: 2026-04-24
Land Use After Closure
Portions of the former plant property were donated by Indiana Michigan Power (AEP) to the Sullivan County American Indian Council in October 2022 for the Waapaahsiki Siipiiwi Mounds Historical Park. The site had been leased by the Council since 2007. The park protects two historical ceremonial mounds identified by an Indiana University archaeological survey.
Connection to Current Development
The Sycamore Riverside Energy Center (proposed ~930 MW gas CT) is sited adjacent to I&M’s retired Breed Generation Facility. This connection is explicitly stated in I&M’s April 2026 CPCN press release, making the Breed site relevant to the current gas development narrative.
Record Completeness Note
The Breed Generating Station record on this site is reconstructed from a demolition contractor’s project summary (Brandenburg Industrial Service) and county news coverage of the 2022 land donation. No formal IURC or utility historical archive has been reviewed for the Breed plant as of this research pass. Capacity figures (450–496 MW) should be treated as approximate until confirmed from a primary AEP or IURC historical record.
What Is Confirmed
- Plant was operated by Indiana Michigan Power (AEP) in Fairbanks, Sullivan County
- Closed early 1990s due to Wabash River shallowing preventing barge coal delivery (Brandenburg project summary)
- Demolished by Brandenburg Industrial Service
- Land partially donated to Sullivan County American Indian Council October 2022 (I&M press release; Yahoo News)
- Sycamore Riverside Energy Center sited adjacent to former Breed site (AEP press release, April 2026)
What Remains Unclear
- Exact capacity (450 vs. 496 MW — sources differ)
- Exact closure year (described as “early 1990s” — specific year not confirmed from primary record)
- Demolition completion date
Related Projects
Ownership History
| Date | Event Type | Owner / Controlling Entity | What Changed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-07 | Site ownership confirmation | Indiana Michigan Power Company | AEP CCR documentation identifies Indiana Michigan Power Company as the owner of the inactive Breed site. | AEP CCR report |
Ownership Sources
- Primary: AEP CCR report
Sources
- Secondary — Contractor: Brandenburg Industrial Service project summary (AEP Breed Plant decommissioning/demolition)
- Secondary — News: Yahoo News / I&M press release, October 2022 — reports land donation to Sullivan County American Indian Council
- Secondary — Developer/Utility: AEP/I&M CPCN press release, April 2026 — references “retired Breed Generating Facility” adjacent to Sycamore Riverside site
Last Verified: 2026-04-24
Last Verified: 2026-04-24
