Facing tough midterms, Biden releasing oil from U.S. reserve
The withdrawals have sent the nation’s strategic reserve to its lowest level since 1984 in what the administration called a “bridge” until domestic production could be increased.
Energy & Environment
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EPA: UPS to pay fine, correct hazardous waste violations
The company has three years to reach compliance across 1,160 locations and will pay a civil penalty of $5.3 million.
US awards $2.8B in grants for EV batteries in 12 states
A total of 20 companies will receive grants for projects to extract and process lithium, graphite and other battery materials, manufacture components and strengthen U.S. supply of critical minerals, officials said.
White House set to tap oil reserve again amid high fuel prices
Gasoline prices, one of the most visible signs of inflation, are a political headache for President Biden, who in recent weeks has repeatedly warned oil companies against raising costs.
Former Global Gifts chief to lead Hoosier Environmental Council
Sam Carpenter succeeds Jesse Kharbanda, who led the organization for more than 14 years before stepping down early this year.
EnPower’s pivot to battery-making leads company to Indianapolis
The company has recently begun testing its first products with customers and is working to ramp up production in coming months.
Citizens, CenterPoint predict rise in winter heating bills
Utilities Citizens Energy Group and CenterPoint Energy said natural gas prices, which spiked a year ago, will be even higher this winter, leading to costlier heating bills in Indiana.
Biden vows ‘consequences’ for Saudis after OPEC+ cuts output
The production cut threatens a global economy already destabilized by the Ukraine conflict and risks saddling Biden and Democrats with newly rising gasoline prices just ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
Indiana energy study committee ends with no recommendations
The Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications heard a series of reports on various energy topics before voting to adopt a report devoid of legislative recommendations.
‘Forever chemicals’ in deer, fish challenge hunters, tourism
Authorities have detected the high levels of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in deer in several states, including Michigan and Maine, where legions of hunters seek to bag a buck every fall.
Coping with climate change making electrician a very hot career
The mantra of energy experts has been that we need to electrify everything. But installing all of that stuff—the solar panels, the heat pumps, the transmission lines—will require something that the United States doesn’t have: lots and lots of electricians.
Biden’s pledge to make federal fleet electric faces slow start
President Joe Biden last year directed the government to purchase only American-made zero-emission passenger cars by 2027.
Indiana task force weighs green energy and affordability
As Indiana looks to form an energy policy of the future, not everyone is in agreement on how much of a role fossil fuels will play in that equation.
Holcomb touts carbon capture law, adding to Indiana’s hydrogen plans
The bill creates a regulatory framework for companies to store captured carbon dioxide underground in Indiana.
You don’t have to own a home to go solar; some renters have an option, too
Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia allow community solar projects. Indiana is not one of them, according to the EPA.
EV charging patterns could put strain on power grid, study says
Power companies are offering price breaks to customers who charge their electric vehicles at night, but that’s not an ideal time for a power grid that is switching increasingly to renewables and other clean energy sources.
Indiana utility seeking 16.5% electric rate increase
Merrillville, Indiana-based Northern Indiana Public Service Co. asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission this week to approve the rate increase over two years for its 470,000 customers across 32 northern Indiana counties.
Senate ratifies international climate deal on refrigerants
The agreement compels the United States and other countries to limit use of hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning that are far more powerful than carbon dioxide.
Indiana joins 7 states in forming hydrogen coalition
The coalition says the effort will leverage each state’s unique assets while boosting hydrogen production with little to no greenhouse gas emissions.
Veleta appointed to Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
David Veleta succeeds David Ober, who resigned as commissioner in June after being named vice president of taxation and public finance for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.