Government probe into $5 billion plant powering Cleveland widens with more subpoenas

CLEVELAND - A government probe into a $5 billion power plant providing electricity for Cleveland is widening with additional subpoenas.

We first reported on the Prairie State Energy Plant in southern Illinois last July when the new plant had failed to produce electricity over a four-month period.

Earlier this month, we reported the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had launched an investigation into Peabody Energy Corporation that was involved in developing the plant.

Now, additional subpoenas have been issued to American Municipal Power -- an Ohio-based non-profit corporation that owns and operates electric facilities including Prairie State.

Cleveland Public Power is among a number of utilities that are helping finance the bonds that built Prairie State.

Some on Cleveland City Council are concerned that the ongoing federal probe could result in increased costs to Cleveland ratepayers.