Hulman family plans oil drilling near Terre Haute
The Vigo County planning commission on Wednesday approved zoning changes to allow drilling on about six acres owned by the Grace Hulman Real Estate Trust and Anton Hulman Jr. Real Estate Trust.
Energy & Environment
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No ‘inappropriate communications,’ Duke Energy CEO says
Duke Energy Corp.’s top exec told the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission that he’s confident the IURC’s former top attorney had no influence on decisions regarding the utility’s Edwardsport plant, even though he sought a job with Duke while working for the regulatory body.
Hancock County utilities set to proceed with merger
Consolidation of Central Indiana Power and Hancock Telecom will become official on Jan. 1. It took a change in state law to allow the merger to proceed.
Scandal fallout plagues Duke Energy’s Edwardsport project
Regulatory proceedings involving the coal gasification plant are being delayed while investigations continue over conflicts of interest at the IURC.
Veolia losing water contract, will get $29M termination fee
Playing a limited role under Indianapolis Water's new owner, Citizens Energy, wouldn't be profitable, Veolia says. Citizens plans to make job offers to "substantially all" Veolia employees.
U.S. attorney to ask for review of IURC ethics dispute
U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett says he'll ask "the appropriate federal agency" to review an ethics dispute that has embroiled the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Duke Energy Corp.
Purdue developing oil spill website
Purdue University is developing a website with more than 30,000 hours of underwater video from the BP oil spill. More than 400 videos shot by 14 remotely operated underwater vehicles are on the site so far.
Watchdog groups ask U.S. attorney to probe utility case
Two private watchdog groups have asked the new U.S. attorney in Indianapolis to investigate an ethics flap that has embroiled the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Duke Energy.
State getting $25M to clean up old GM sites
Indiana will benefit from a $25.2 million environmental trust established to clean up and redevelop eight former General Motors plants throughout the state, officials said Wednesday.
Federal documents clear way for land exchange
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said in a release Friday that 1,250 acres of the Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area will be used by the Indiana National Guard. The guard plans a $105 million expansion of Camp Atterbury in Johnson County.
IURC to re-examine Duke project amid ethics flap
The commission is summoning the CEO of North Carolina-based Duke Energy to justify the $2.9 billion Edwardsport plant on the same day the state ethics board filed formal charges against a former IURC attorney hired by Duke.
Indianapolis wins state “Green Community of the Year” award
Mayor Greg Ballard has unveiled a number of green initiatives, ranging from widespread use of hybrid vehicles to making the City-County Building more energy-efficient.
Court revisits IURC ruling after agency lawyer jumps to utility
A Duke Energy case handled by an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission lawyer—while he jockeyed for a job with the utility—is headed to the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Heating bills should be cheaper this winter, utility says
Citizens Energy Group projects that the gas bill of its average residential customer will decline about 7 percent over the winter heating season. The utility said a customer who uses the typical amount of natural gas will spend $580, down from $620 last season.
Duke Energy names interim president amid probe
Decision to replace Indiana CEO Mike Reed, who has been placed on administrative leave, follows a state investigation into an ethics controversy involving Duke that resulted in the dismissal of the chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Local environmental contractor declares bankruptcy
Indianapolis-based ESI Environmental Inc. filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The firm was the area's second-largest environmental contractor based on revenue, according to the most recent IBJ statistics.
IPL chief Ann Murtlow is ‘personable’ power
Ann Murtlow's ability to connect with employees and the community has helped her thrive in a male-dominated field. She is one of a only a handful of women in the country to lead utilities.
Customer-service jobs likely casualty in utility merger
Consultant finds 23 or so customer-service jobs may be unneeded after Citizens Energy acquires city water and sewer utilities. Administrative jobs may also be on bubble, though most savings are from capital-related expenses.
Feds charge 3rd man with Clean Water violations
Joseph Biggio, who was executive vice president of operations at Ecological Systems Inc. from 2001 through 2007, was charged Thursday with two counts of violating the Clean Water Act and one count of making false statements.
Watchdogs howl over Duke hiring IURC attorney
Watchdog groups are criticizing Duke Energy's hiring of the top attorney for Indiana's utility oversight panel, saying his role handling issues related to a nearly $3 billion power plant the company is building raises serious ethics questions.