Lawmakers seek path to remediate brownfields through inventory
Senate Bill 307 would allow the Indiana Brownfields Program to be used to study brownfields and to create a statewide inventory, although the bill provides no funding for the task.
Energy & Environment
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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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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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Articles
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful says it won’t get $400K grant due to federal spending cuts
The Trump administration’s overhaul of federal spending has put at least one local green program on the chopping block, while several others remain in limbo.
EV, battery manufacturers moving ahead on projects despite Trump’s views, actions
Potential rollbacks of Biden-era policies that incentivized electric vehicle production and ownership have stirred apprehension among some local economic development officials across the state.
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.
UPDATE: Duke Energy Indiana seeks OK for natural-gas units at Cayuga in $3.3B project
Customers will see a rate increase of about 5.4% between 2026 and 2031 if Duke receives approval to add to electricity rates over time rather than at once.
Trump OKs $782M loan to Indianapolis company’s sustainable jet fuel subsidiary
Montana Renewables is a subsidiary of Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP. Calumet launched Montana Renewables in 2021 with the goal of becoming one of the top renewable diesel producers in North America.
Environmental consulting firm expanding in Indianapolis
BCA Environmental Consultants has doubled the amount of its office space in Indianapolis and plans to add nearly two dozen jobs.
Senate approves electronic pull tabs for charity gambling as House OKs immigration notice mandate
Also past the halfway point are bills on voting, water transfers and teacher pay. The House, meanwhile, pulled back on divorce and municipal election changes.
State regulators OK electricity rate hike for Duke Energy
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, or IURC, gave approval for an increase of $395.7 million a year for rates and charges, down from the $491.5 million hike requested by Duke—a decrease of 19.5%.
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.
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.