Federal judge throws out Trump order blocking development of wind energy
The judge said the effort to halt virtually all leasing of wind farms on federal lands and waters was “arbitrary and capricious” and violates U.S. law.
Alternative energy
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Opposition brings likely end to Indiana utility siting bill, but the issue isn’t going away
A key lawmaker called the bill a response to ongoing resistance of local governments to greenlight solar, wind and other renewables projects that are necessary to support the state’s growing energy demands.
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As AES Indiana abandons coal, capacity questions arise
If all goes to schedule, the huge power plant about 125 miles southwest of Indianapolis will convert to natural gas and burn its last load of coal by the end of 2026.
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IBJ Podcast: New AES prez on goals, growing up in Indy and the system upgrades that led to billing mess
Brandi Davis-Handy discusses the customer billing issues, the challenges of growing the business and the company’s final push to eliminate coal as a source of energy for creating electricity.
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Lilly to install $10M worth of solar panels at two Indianapolis campuses
The solar structures are designed to help generate power for the company and reduce its carbon footprint.
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Articles
Governor says Indiana can ‘get this right’ on energy policy
Speaking at the IBJ’s Future of Energy Summit, Braun kicked off discussion of how lawmakers, utility companies and businesses can work together to usher Indiana through a unique time when energy demand is skyrocketing and affordability concerns are at the forefront of Hoosier minds.
Indiana lawmakers’ nuclear energy push pays off earlier than expected
Energy startup First American Nuclear plans to spend $4 billion and create 5,000 jobs in Indiana in the coming decade as it pursues building a nuclear plant powered by small modular reactors.
Braun, Purdue lead nuclear summit to promote reactors for Indiana
The Global Nuclear Energy Economic Summit at Purdue University got underway Wednesday with several hundred attendees from energy companies, utilities, academia, government and regulatory agencies.
Report predicts $350B nuclear boom in US to power AI
While demand is on the rise for carbon-free fission power as the U.S. races to meet a surge in electricity needs, costs remain high and construction is expected to be slow.
Indiana stood to get $130M for solar projects. The EPA canceled the program.
Nonprofit organizations in Indiana have spent two years preparing and were about to start putting up panels when EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced via social media that the program is being shut down.
Speedway unveils utility partnership, plans to turn waste into power
Work on the biogas treatment system, in collaboration with Leopardo Energy, is expected to begin in August.
Indiana energy leaders push for ‘nuclear renaissance’ at Tuesday forum
IBJ Media’s Nuclear Energy Forum, held Tuesday, brought together about 270 attendees for a half-day of discussions on the potential benefits—and hurdles—of nuclear energy.
New laws aim to help Indiana make mark in development of small nuclear reactors
Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, has been one of the Legislature’s biggest proponents of SMRs, streamlining the regulatory process for those reactors and trying to persuade utilities and manufacturers to embrace their development.
Senate GOP tax bill could crush wind and solar power, advocates say
Republicans say the tax-cut bill represents historic savings for taxpayers and supports production of traditional fossil-fuel energy sources such as oil, natural gas and coal, as well as nuclear power, increasing reliability.
Gov. Mike Braun orders energy demand plan
The Strategic Energy Growth Task Force, among its responsibilities, will work with utility companies and grid operators to ensure the state is meeting its growth goals.
AES Indiana puts one solar-battery project online, gets OK for another
In an announcement timed with Earth Day, electric utility AES Indiana said Tuesday that its new Pike County battery storage unit is now operational and that it received regulatory approval for a solar and battery project in Dubois County.
Indiana to host nuclear energy-focused retreat
The retreat is co-sponsored by the National Governors Association and the U.S. Department of Energy and is slated for this summer.
Calumet subsidiary draws down $782M as part of first Trump-approved energy loan
Montana Renewables said the money will help make it become the biggest producer of sustainable aviation fuel in the world.
GOP lawmakers eye small nuclear in Indiana despite concerns over cost, feasibility
Consumer advocates argue the novel technology is “too risky” and will come at a “massive” cost to ratepayers.
Solar energy group nabs $117M to help underserved communities, low-income residents
Residents could have solar panels installed on their rooftops. Or a renter could subscribe to community solar “micro-grids” that can reduce their bills.
Midwest hydrogen hub involving Indiana to get $22.2M in initial federal support
The Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations announced Wednesday afternoon that it had reached a cooperative agreement with the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen, or MachH2 for short, and awarded Phase 1 funding.
Trump has vowed to kill U.S. offshore wind projects. Will he succeed?
Many of the largest offshore wind companies put a brave face on the election results, pledging to work with Trump and Congress to build power projects and ignoring the incoming president’s oft-stated hostility to them.
Airport planning $47M solar canopy for parking lot
The project, which would see the construction of a new solar-covered canopy over a portion of a lot south of the airport’s parking garage, is expected to generate about 10% of the terminal’s total energy needs.
Boone County considers 2-year moratorium on new solar, wind projects
The move would come as Virginia-based Hexagon Energy develops plans for a 3,000-acre solar farm north of Jamestown in western Boone County and Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources renews interest in building a solar farm near Zionsville.