Critics urge Duke Energy to green up more quickly
The state’s largest electric utility wants to retire much of its coal-fired generating fleet by 2035, but critics say Duke Energy lags all other Indiana utilities in the green-energy transition.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Biden administration unveils plan for electric vehicle charging network
The Biden administration released an ambitious federal strategy Monday to build 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles across the country and bring down the cost of electric cars with the goal of transforming the U.S. auto industry.
EPA lowers ethanol requirements, citing reduced demand
The lower production targets are a win for the oil industry, which argues that biofuel blending is costly and raises gasoline prices.
Not-for-profit catalogs, rates Indy’s urban forests
The Indiana Forest Alliance was scheduled to release Dec. 3 a report that maps all 4,237 private forests in Indianapolis that are larger than one acre—and evaluates them for environmental, ecological and social benefits.
Nature Conservancy finds new way to protect bat habitat from wind farms
Generating electricity using gigantic wind turbines is a massive win for green energy. But the huge blades are deadly for migrating Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats.
Local companies eye big opportunities in federal infrastructure package
The $1.2 trillion law could be a boon for huge corporations like Cummins Inc. and Allison Transmission Inc. and smaller ones like Telamon Corp., 120Water Inc. and BCA Environmental Consultants LLC.
Duke Energy Indiana seeks to raise rates 1% yearly until 2029 to upgrade grid
Duke Energy Indiana wants to spend about $1.9 billion to upgrade its electric grid, a move it says would result in few and shorter power outages and would harden the grid against severe weather.
U.S. to release 50 million barrels of reserve oil to ease energy costs
The move is aimed at global energy markets, but also at U.S. voters who are coping with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel.
Indiana environmental chief leaving for federal agency job
Bruno Pigott is taking a new job as deputy assistant administrator in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water.
IEDC works with accelerator to bring startups to Indiana
Gener8tor is launching four industry-specific programs within its gBETA accelerator for early-stage startups from both Indiana and around the United States, hoping some will move here.
Biden pushes electric vehicle chargers as energy costs spike
The president is hoping to do even more to promote electric vehicles, including a provision for a $7,500 tax credit for consumers who buy electric vehicles through 2026 that’s been floated as part of his proposed $1.85 trillion social services and climate bill.
U.S. industrial production rebounded 1.6% last month
U.S. industrial production rebounded as automakers posted strong increases and the adverse effects from a hurricane that struck the nation’s energy complex in the Gulf of Mexico faded.
Indiana Recycling Coalition rebrands as Circular Indiana
The not-for-profit said with the rebranding, it is expanding beyond recycling by aligning itself with “the changing landscape of sustainable materials management.”
Justices turn away VW appeals over emissions scandal lawsuits
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected appeals from Volkswagen that sought to stop state and local lawsuits related to the 2015 scandal in which the automaker was found to have rigged its vehicles to cheat U.S. diesel emissions tests.
Foundations commit billions to fight climate change
The United Nations Climate Change Conference has promoted a series of announcements from foundations and individuals attempting to pour money into efforts to fight climate change, an area many think philanthropy has neglected.
General Electric to split into three public companies
General Electric announced Tuesday that it will spin off its health care business in early 2023 and its energy segment including renewable energy, power and digital operations in early 2024.
Indiana goes on offense to capture evolution of electric-vehicle industry
Using tax incentives , an EV commission and membership in a regional network promoting EV infrastructure, the Holcomb administration is looking to increase EV manufacturing statewide.
Indianapolis investing group bets big on renewable energy
A blank-check company, or SPAC, plans to close early next year on a merger with California-based Energy Vault that will take the company public and give it a cash infusion of $388 million.
Biden’s climate plan aims to reduce methane emissions
President Joe Biden pledged during the summit to work with the European Union and dozens of other nations to reduce overall methane emissions worldwide by 30% by 2030.
City planning $10.1M initiative in Mars Hill to remove 650 parcels from flood zone
Indianapolis’ Department of Public Works is proposing a list of strategies to shrink federal floodplain boundaries, as well as to decrease the severity of water damage in the flood-prone neighborhood.