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.
Energy & Environment
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Indianapolis commits to incinerating municipal trash through 2035
The Indianapolis Board of Public Works voted narrowly Wednesday to continue sending the bulk of Marion County’s waste to an incinerator that burns trash to create steam energy through 2035.
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Indianapolis won’t begin universal curbside recycling until 2028
In November, a Department of Public Works staffer revealed to the Board of Public Works in a public meeting that the Hogsett administration is now planning for a rollout three years later than the original target.
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Indiana leaders wrestle with massive energy needs on horizon
Hot topics at the inaugural IBJ Media Future of Energy Summit included the staggering power demands of data centers, continued reliance on coal and natural gas and the potential assistance of nuclear power.
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AES Indiana gets green light to convert Petersburg power plant from coal to natural gas
Indiana utility regulators on Wednesday approved a sweeping plan by AES Indiana to stop burning coal at its massive Petersburg Generating Station, despite opposition from the coal industry and some elected officials.
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Articles
Indiana House Republicans’ agenda includes effort to absorb disgruntled Illinois counties
House Republicans also introduced a slew of bills addressing trademark issues such as education, housing and health care.
Eight Indiana coal sites offer ‘substantial opportunities’ for nuclear plants, per new Purdue study
Purdue officials announced in May that the university was selected to study small nuclear technology and how it can potentially be used to power Indiana in the future.
New Wabash watershed study finds supply should meet demand with proper management
The findings are consistent with a statewide water study released in August that concluded Indiana has a “plentiful” but unevenly distributed water supply.
Supreme Court to take up challenge related to vehicle emissions standards
The court said it would take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations.
Franklin residents sue over alleged decades-long exposure to hazardous waste from two factory sites
The lawsuit, filed in Marion Superior Court on Dec. 6, alleges that the defendants released large quantities of several known carcinogens from their Franklin sites into the city through the air, soil, groundwater and sewer system.
Judge blocks ‘right of first refusal’ law on electric transmission projects as MISO readies to OK bids
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt ruled that an act signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2023 that gives local utilities the right of first refusal on electric transmission projects discriminates against interstate commerce.
Gov.-elect Braun names secretary of energy and natural resources
Regional power grid leader Suzanne Jaworowski has been chosen to serve as Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Braun’s secretary of energy and natural resources.
EPA bans two cancer-causing chemicals used in everyday products
The EPA conducted risk analyses last year and found that both substances present unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment.
Indiana joins lawsuit targeting ESG practices of major investment firms
Indiana has joined 10 other states in bringing a lawsuit against three of the world’s largest investment companies, with Attorney General Todd Rokita alleging the firms are illegally conspiring to manipulate energy markets.
U.S. commits to $7.54B loan for Stellantis venture to build 2 EV battery plants in Indiana
The project being built by StarPlus Energy LLC is expected to create at least 2,800 jobs at the two plants and hundreds more at a nearby park for parts-supply companies.
Entek officially receives $1.2B DOE loan for Terre Haute plant
When operational, the facility will produce battery separators for lithium-ion battery manufacturers across the country, primarily for use in electric vehicles.
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.
Colorado business seeks tax abatement on Pike Township battery storage project
The proposed battery farm would store electricity during times when there’s excess power on the grid and then discharge the energy back into the grid during times of peak demand.
AT&T offering $5,000 reward after copper theft causes outages
AT&T said it is collaborating with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Shelby County and Brown County sheriff’s departments to address the issue.
Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for emissions waste by oil, gas companies
The new fee is intended to encourage industry to adopt best practices that reduce emissions of methane—the primary component of natural gas—and thereby avoid paying.
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.
AI boom could unleash global surge in electronic waste
Researchers predict the AI boom will increase the total amount of electronic trash generated globally by between 3 percent and 12 percent by 2030.
Key lawmaker signals opposition to coal plant anti-closure proposal
Hoosier coal advocates pushing for a ban on early coal-fired plant retirements have found allies among Senate leaders. But a key House lawmaker on Thursday publicly signaled opposition.
Carbon removal industry calls on U.S. government for regulation
The unregulated carbon dioxide removal industry is calling for standards to boost transparency and confidence in a sector that’s been flooded with billions of dollars in federal funding and private investment.