GM: New batteries cut electric car costs, increase range
General Motors says a pending breakthrough in battery chemistry will cut the price of its electric vehicles so they equal those powered by gasoline within five years.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Indiana panel passes energy report some say could lead to coal bailout
The 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force, which was set up to guide lawmakers in crafting a long-term energy plan, voted 11-4 on a series of findings and non-binding recommendations.
Groups say energy recommendations could slow Indiana’s transition away from coal
A state energy task force is considering a sweeping array of measures that seem to favor existing large-scale utilities, many of which still burn coal, over providers of renewable energy.
Court orders FDA to assess environmental impact of modified salmon
The ruling centers on AquaBounty’s salmon, which are genetically modified to grow faster than normal salmon. After clearing other regulatory hurdles. AquaBounty began growing the fish in indoor tanks at an Indiana plant last year.
Indianapolis Power & Light names new CEO, its fifth since 2015
Kristina Lund takes over as the utility is embarking on an ambitious plan to upgrade its grid, with $1.2 billion in investments designed to prevent outages and other service interruptions.
Millions of Americans risk losing power, water as unpaid utility bills pile up
In Indiana, more than 112,000 households are behind 120 days or more on their power bills, a Washington Post analysis of the largest local energy companies’ records found.
House backs bill to boost ‘clean energy,’ enhance efficiency
The House bill, dubbed the “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act,” would support clean energy technologies through research and development funding. It also boosts electric cars and programs to finance clean energy projects.
EPA sides with farmers on ethanol, rejects refinery waivers
Federal regulators on Monday handed a victory to corn farmers and the renewable fuels industry by refusing to allow a group of petroleum refiners in 14 states to forego requirements to blend ethanol into the gasoline they make.
Daimler AG to pay $1.5B to settle emissions cheating probes
The U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency and the California attorney general’s office say Daimler violated environmental laws by using so-called “defeat device software” to circumvent emissions testing.
IPL to pay $1.5M fine to settle Petersburg pollution issues
The Indianapolis-based utility said it also will spend $5 million to mitigate what critics say has been harm to the environment caused by the plant’s excess emissions over the years.
Consumer advocate: Plan won’t credit Indiana solar customers enough
The Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor is recommending state regulators deny a utility’s request to compensate customers with solar panels less for extra energy they send back into the power grid.
Electric-vehicle subscription service launched in Indianapolis market
The service started by the parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light offers monthly subscriptions that cover use of a car, plus all insurance and maintenance costs.
Trump’s EPA dumps methane emissions rule for oil, gas fields
Smaller, independent operators hailed the changes as important to their survival, but major oil producers called the move disappointing.
State slaps NIPSCO with record-breaking $1.1 million safety fine
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission cited the utility for instances of failing to locate or mark underground pipelines within two days of a request being made, as is required in advance of any excavation work.
Trump signs $3B-a-year plan to boost conservation, parks
Supporters say the Great American Outdoors Act is the most significant conservation legislation enacted in nearly half a century.
Q&A: Water alliance leader seeks sustainability
“We’re all connected—our drinking-water utilities, our industries, people who want to use water for recreation—it’s all the same water,” says Jill Hoffmann. “So we have to manage it together.”
Work-from-home trend makes lumber a winner, paper a loser
While the demand for printing papers had been in slow decline before the pandemic, the magnitude of the drop during COVID-19 has been a surprise.
Trump looks to scale back environmental reviews for projects
The controversial changes to the National Environmental Policy Act are expected to make it easier to build highways, pipelines, chemical plants and other projects.
EPA rejects tougher air quality standards, says 2015 limits are sufficient
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said national average ozone concentrations have dropped 25% in recent decades, mainly due to reductions in pollutants that contribute to the formation of smog.
Indiana regulators cut Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike by 60%
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ruled Monday that Duke Energy, the state’s largest electricity provider, could collect an additional $146 million a year from customers. That’s down sharply from Duke Energy’s original request.