For generations, Indiana Michigan Power's (I&M) hydroelectric facilities along the St. Joseph River have been part of the communities they serve, helping power homes and businesses while providing opportunities for residents to live, work and recreate on the water.
Berrien Springs Hydroelectric Plant
I&M is inviting community members to attend two open house events to provide comments on the role they believe the river plays in the social, economic and environmental health of the community. Feedback gathered during the open houses will help inform long-term planning efforts for I&M's Berrien Springs, Buchanan and Twin Branch hydroelectric facilities.
Hydropower continues to play an important role in helping I&M provide dependable, cost-effective service today and into the future. The company’s six hydroelectric facilities along the St. Joseph River generate more than 22 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 15,000 homes each year.
In 2025, I&M submitted its latest Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The IRP is a long-term roadmap for delivering reliable, affordable electricity to all I&M customers and identified hydropower as one of the lowest-cost energy sources for customers. In addition, a socioeconomic analysis of the company's Elkhart and Mottville hydroelectric facilities found that relicensing would provide greater overall benefits than decommissioning.
As I&M plans for the future of its hydroelectric operations, we want to hear from the people who know these facilities best. Customers, neighbors, businesses and community members are invited to attend one of two upcoming open houses to share what these facilities mean to them, the role they play in the community and how they use them. Feedback gathered during the open houses will help inform long-term planning efforts for I&M's Berrien Springs, Buchanan and Twin Branch hydroelectric facilities.
Community Open Houses
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 12
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: Ironworks Event Center, 414 N. Hill St., Mishawaka, IN
- Date: Monday, November 16
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: Berrien County Youth Fair, 3122 US Highway 31, Berrien Springs, MI
Community members are encouraged to stop by to learn more about the facilities and planning process, ask questions and share their thoughts. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees can come and go throughout the event. Those who are unable to attend can also participate through an online survey.
The survey, project information, frequently asked questions and project updates are available at www.hydrocommunityconversation.com.
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), headquartered in Fort Wayne, serves more than 600,000 customers across Indiana and Michigan. We're proud to be more than an energy provider by supporting local nonprofits, volunteering in our communities and helping create opportunities for the people and places we call home. We're also strengthening the electric system to help customers experience fewer outages and faster restoration when severe weather strikes, reducing outages by 50% and improving restoration times by 55% over the past five years while working to keep bills as low as possible. By investing in our communities and our grid, we're helping build a stronger, more resilient future for the families, businesses and communities we serve.
American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We plan to invest $78 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 18,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 252,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 32,000 megawatts of diverse owned and contracted generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.