Saudis, other oil giants announce surprise production cuts
The cuts total up to 1.15 million barrels per day from May until the end of the year, a move that could raise prices worldwide.
Energy & Environment
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Pilot project to boost Marion County’s low recycling rate getting mixed reviews
In 2020, the city diverted only about 15% of all residential, commercial, industrial and construction waste from landfills, through a combination of recycling and composting. That was far below the U.S. rate of around 35%.
U.S. House GOP approves broad bill to ‘unleash’ American energy
The massive bill calls for sharply increasing domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, as well as critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicles, computers and cellphones.
House GOP pushes sprawling bill to ‘unleash’ American energy
The massive GOP bill up for a vote Thursday would sharply increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, as well as critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicles, computers and cellphones.
House bill would let property owners ‘supersede’ Indiana health officials over septic systems
Critics say the bill breeds conflicts of interest and argue that decisions regarding septic systems should remain in the hands of public health professionals.
U.S. renewable electricity surpassed coal in 2022
Growth in wind and solar significantly drove the increase in renewable energy and contributed 14% of the electricity produced domestically in 2022.
Bill that would change wetlands definition passes Indiana House committee
Democrats, environmental groups and business leaders are denouncing a bill that they say would further erode protections for Indiana’s already shrinking wetlands.
Bill advancing Indiana’s carbon sequestration projects moves forward
Senate Bill 451 is part of a years-long effort to move forward the construction of carbon capture and sequestration projects, while also giving special privileges to an Indiana company that is preparing to undertake the nation’s largest carbon dioxide storage project.
Shortage of cooking oil looms as biofuels gain global appeal
From the U.S. to Brazil and Indonesia, governments are embracing energy made from plants like soybeans or canola, or even animal fat, to move away from fossil fuels and cut emissions.
Lawmakers say Indiana bill to monitor early coal plant closures would ensure reliability
Supporters maintain the bill will keep Indiana from relying too heavily on natural gas. Some energy advocates are more hesitant, however, expressing concern that the measure could slow the state’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
‘World’s whitest paint,’ developed at Purdue, wins big at SXSW
A product developed by researchers at Purdue University that was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s whitest paint has earned two major awards.
National Audubon Society, pressured to drop enslaver’s name, keeps it
After months of conducting listening sessions and surveying people in both camps, the national organization’s board of directors decided the moniker is now nearly synonymous with the avian conservation movement—and shouldn’t be abandoned.
Power plants must cut pollution crossing state lines, under new EPA standards
The new standards, announced by the Environmental Protection Agency, are intended to place tighter constraints on air pollution from 23 states, including Indiana.
Three utility-related bills pass the Indiana House
Two of the bills–one establishing utility receiverships and another increasing the cap on pay that trustees on utility boards can earn–received no opposition, passing with a unanimous vote.
EPA to limit toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The plan marks the first time the EPA has proposed regulating the toxic group of compounds, which are widespread, dangerous and expensive to remove from water.
Money debate begins in Statehouse over transition to green energy
A bill advancing through the Legislature would add natural gas to the list of clean-energy projects state utility regulators could consider for a financial incentive known as “construction work in progress,” or CWIP for short.
Does daylight saving time result in lower energy bills?
The notion of keeping the lights off for longer has always been linked with daylight saving time. But more recently, research has emerged to challenge the DST premise.
Appeals court: State law supports OK for Duke’s $2B economic development plan
Duke Energy will be able to proceed with a nearly $2 billion economic development plan after the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled a regulatory commission’s approval met the requirements of state law.
Indiana’s third-party testing on toxic train-derailment waste comes back clear
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered continued third-party dioxin testing of any and all subsequent loads of soil coming to Indiana from the East Palestine, Ohio, train crash site.
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ about to get their first US limits
But experts say removing them will cost billions, a burden that will fall hardest on small communities with few resources.