Indiana sets new sulfur dioxide limit for coke plant
Regulators have set proposed new pollution limits for a northwestern Indiana business that’s considered one of the region’s worst polluters.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Skeptics question value of China farm purchases under Trump deal
America’s trade representative says China has agreed to buy $40 billion per year in agricultural products. The president says it’s more than $50 billion. But the text of the deal hasn’t been made available, and China isn’t talking.
Judge allowing lawsuit over Lake Monroe logging to proceed
The ruling by a Monroe County judge rejects an effort by property owner Joe Huff to have a lawsuit filed against him by county officials dismissed.
Indiana utility paying $1 million fine over hiring complaint
A major Indiana utility company has agreed to pay a $1 million fine in settling a federal complaint that it discriminated against some 1,500 female or black job applicants.
Farm, industry groups upset at final EPA ethanol rule
Some farm groups and farm-state lawmakers expressed anger at the Trump administration Thursday over final ethanol rules that they said failed to uphold the president’s promises to the industry.
IPL to retire two of its four remaining coal-fired power units by 2023
The Petersburg Generating Station, about 120 miles southwest of Indianapolis, has been called a “super polluter” by environmental groups, with violations for excess sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide particulate matter and sulfuric mist.
Electricity provider planning more Indiana solar farms
The Indiana Municipal Power Agency said it now has 21 solar farms generating electricity around the state and is building more at it aims to have half of its power coming from renewable sources by 2030.
Trump imposes tariffs on steel, aluminum from Argentina, Brazil
The president on Monday accused the countries of hurting American farmers through currency manipulation and said he’d restore metal tariffs to retaliate.
Feature film ‘Dark Waters’ tells story of Taft lawyer’s 20-year battle against DuPont
With the release of the feature film “Dark Waters” on Tuesday, the law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister, which has offices in Indianapolis and eight other cities, is about to get the kind of publicity that money can’t buy.
California, 23 other states sue Trump for right to require more fuel-efficient cars
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, marks the latest round in an escalating fight between the White House and California officials over how quickly the nation’s auto fleet must increase its fuel-efficiency.
Indianapolis’ next reservoir ‘an insurance policy’ for dry periods
When completed, the 88-acre project, called Citizens Reservoir, will be able to pump up to 30 million gallons a day of captured rainwater into nearby Geist Reservoir.
Trump administration eases Obama-era rules on coal pollution
Monday’s change would loosen some of the requirements for cleaning up the waste streams from coal-fired power plants and give utilities another two years to comply with some of the rules.
Hoffmann: Three steps to improve our waters now and for the future
Education, conservation and preparation are vital for protecting the quality and availability of water in Indiana.
Indiana regulators side with Duke Energy on rate-hike paperwork case
The ruling is a setback for consumer activists and customer groups, who say Duke Energy’s application to raise electricity rates by an average of 15% is incomplete and confusing.
Beverage companies aim to get bottles recycled, not trashed
Every year, an estimated 100 billion plastic bottles are produced in the U.S., the bulk of which come from three of America’s biggest beverage companies. Only one-third of those bottles get recycled.
Automakers side with Trump in legal fight with California
General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota and many others in the auto industry are backing the Trump administration in a lawsuit over whether California has the right to set its own greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards.
CountryMark CEO Smith retiring after 17 years at helm
CountryMark ranked as the state’s ninth largest company in 2018, with $1.2 billion in revenue. The firm has more than 500 employees, including about 420 in Indiana.
Duke Energy facing rate-hike pushback
Key parties in the case have asked state regulators to order Duke to refile all its work papers and exhibits, with formulas and linked spreadsheets.
Schumer proposes $462 billion automobile swap—gas for electric
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rebate proposal late Thursday joins a mix of trillion- and multi-trillion-dollar programs that Democratic presidential candidates have outlined to urgently cut oil, gas and coal emissions.
Farmers blame Trump for biofuels rule they view as betrayal
Agriculture commodity groups and some farmers expressed frustration and anger Wednesday with a rule released by the Environmental Protection Agency that they said fails to uphold a promise President Donald Trump made 12 days ago.