NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 10, 2010--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said that the decision by the parties to renegotiate Duke Energy's (A-/Stable/A-2) Indiana settlement on the construction and cost recovery related to the Edwardsport coal plant does not have any immediate effect on Duke's ratings. Public perception of the settlement, which requires approval by Indiana regulators, may have been affected by recent revelations of interactions between regulators and the utility that have led to dismissals or resignations of several utility executives and regulators. Credit quality would only be impaired if a new settlement or a regulatory decision shifted significant risks to Duke as a condition to completing the plant, and Duke decides to proceed with construction on
