Purdue poised to cancel coal-fired power plant
Purdue University is moving to call off plans for a new coal-fired power unit that had been strongly opposed by environmental activists.
Air Quality
Articles
State’s big polluters spewed less last year
EPA data show an 18 percent decrease in toxic emissions among big manufacturers and electric utilities, but it’s unclear to what degree better practices—or the slow economy—had on declining levels.
Toxic chemical releases decrease 18 percent in Indiana
The 2009 Toxics Release Inventory released Thursday shows releases of toxic chemicals to the environment by companies in Indiana decreased by 20.6 million pounds, or 18 percent.
Duke Energy wins verdict reversal in clean-air case
The renovations complied with Indiana’s plan for implementing the federal Clean Air Act, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago said in Tuesday’s ruling.
Farmers fear possible tougher dust rules from EPA
Farming groups have urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to retain its current standards for dust, soot and other microscopic particles, arguing that tighter restrictions would be unworkable.
13 Indiana companies, school systems get diesel funds
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management says a federal grant will help pay for retrofitting school buses, technology to reduce idling by tractor trucks, towboats and locomotives, and fuel-efficient tires and aerodynamic trim for tractors and trailers.
State makes it easier to renew asbestos-removal license
Indiana currently licenses about 2,500 asbestos-removal professionals each year.
Indianapolis-based Xylogenics licenses yeast strain to ethanol producer
Xylogenics claims its yeast strain, developed at the Indiana University School of Medicine, can increase yields and lower
costs of producing corn ethanol.
Hoosier Energy reaches settlement with EPA
Rural electric cooperative to pay civil penalty of nearly $1 million for not using most modern pollution controls. Hoosier Energy also to spend up to $300 million on pollution controls at coal-fired plants.
Proposed air pollution rule could cost utilities
Indiana’s utilities are scrambling to assess the cost of tighter air pollution limits proposed this month by the Environmental Protection Agency that could drive up electric rates.
Lugar: Bipartisan approach needed on climate bill
Sen. Richard Lugar is urging President Obama to endorse a bipartisan climate change bill that doesn’t add another financial
burden during tough times and does not include the new carbon-based fuel taxes sought by Democratic leaders.
Lugar’s energy bill winning support
Lugar’s bill may be able to muster the 60 votes needed for Senate passage because it wouldn’t cap emissions or expand offshore
drilling, two controversial issues in the Senate.
Study: Indiana shows long-term decrease in air toxics
IDEM says in its newly released “ToxWatch” report that the level of air toxics over the last decade has “decreased
to within levels acceptable to the U.S. EPA.
MOUNAYAR: Indianapolis should rediscover public spaces
Too few of the city's revitalization projects are connected by attractive sidewalks, streets, gardens and plazas.
Activists say Indiana lagging in protecting environment
Indiana's air, land and water are significantly cleaner than they were at the start of the environmental movement
40 years ago, but the state still has work to catch up with other states, according to activists.
IDEM chief choking on EPA’s new ozone proposal
Cost of proposed EPA ozone limit would far outweigh any potential health benefits, Indiana Department of Environmental Management
commissioner says.
Duke: New coal plant’s cost rises to $2.9B
Duke Energy says the cost of the coal-gasification power plant it’s building in southwestern Indiana has risen by $530 million.
Indiana producing more wind power, but using little of it
Indiana saw a 700-percent increase in total wind-generated power in 2009, an increase second only to Utah, according to the
U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report.
Net metering bill short-circuited in legislature
Bill would have allowed businesses, universities and other organizations generating their own power to receive a retail credit
on their utility bills.
Consumer group touts financial benefits of energy efficiency
Opponents of energy/climate change legislation—which has predominantly been in the form of so-called cap-and-trade
legislation—aren’t convinced.