INDIANAPOLIS — Duke Energy Corp. and Indiana consumer advocates say secret e-mails disclosed in The Indianapolis Star raise questions that affect a deal on cost overruns at the company’s $2.9 billion Edwardsport coal gasification project.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based company and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor filed a petition Thursday with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

The petition says they’re withdrawing a Sept. 17 agreement for covering the costs. Duke Chairman James E. Rogers says the parties will start new talks.

The news follows publication of e-mails between Duke executives and Indiana officials about business decisions and their private relationships.

The controversy has led to the firing or resignation of several people, including Duke executives James Turner and Mike Reed and Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Chairman David Lott Hardy.

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