EPA proposes looser oversight of oil company emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency’s move would be the latest in a series by the administration easing Obama-era emissions controls on the oil, gas and coal industries, including for methane.
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Farmers’ loyalty to Trump tested over new corn-ethanol rules
The trigger wasn’t Trump’s China tariffs, but the waivers the administration granted this month to 31 oil refineries so they don’t have to blend ethanol into their gasoline.
State task force holds first meeting on renewable energy
A new task force that hopes to help Indiana move from its coal-dominated past into a future that includes more renewable energy held its first meeting Monday, hearing hours of testimony.
Trump orders biofuel boost in bid to temper farm state anger
Administration officials agreed to the broad contours of a renewable fuel plan, including further moves to encourage the use of E15 gasoline containing 15% ethanol, beyond the 10% variety common across the U.S.
Ethanol producer blames Indiana plant closure on EPA
The owner of a western Indiana ethanol plant is blaming its shutdown on the Trump administration’s decision to allow some refineries to not blend ethanol with gasoline as required under federal law.
Steel dust recycling project on brownfield site dropped amid opposition
The canceled development was a joint venture between Indianapolis-based Heritage Environmental and Monterrey, Mexico-based Zinc Nacional, which had said the project planned for the site of a former BorgWarner automotive factory would have created up to 90 jobs over several years.
Utility seeks to charge Indiana customers for coal ash removal
Although the petition doesn’t say how much the utility will seek from customers, a Vectren spokeswoman said the project will cost $164 million.
Volkswagen settlement funds fuel-efficient buses, trucks
Indiana is receiving $41 million from the $2.9 billion portion of the settlement dedicated to funding projects that reduce diesel emissions.
Local environmental not-for-profit names new leader
Jeremy Kranowitz, most recently the managing director for sustainability for a New York City-based group, will take the top spot at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
Wind energy conference blowing into Indianapolis in 2021
The American Wind Energy Association’s CleanPower conference and trade show will run from June 7-10, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center. It will be the first time the event is hosted by Indianapolis.
EPA to host meeting on sewer work near tainted Indiana site
Residents in a central Indiana city are set to get an update from federal officials this week about planned sewer work near a tainted industrial site.
IPL’s rates for power jumped 57% over decade
That’s a steeper increase than any other electrical utility in the state except Indiana Michigan Power and Auburn Municipal, according to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Indiana coal mine with 120 workers to close this fall
The company said it’s working with the affected employees “to identify comparable employment opportunities at four locations in Indiana and Illinois.
Solar co-op seeks participants in Hamilton County
A Washington, D.C.-based not-for-profit group has launched a co-op for residents and businesses in Hamilton County who want to install solar panels at a group rate.
Brazil considers dropping barriers to U.S. ethanol
A biofuel deal between the two nations would come as a relief for the U.S. ethanol industry, which has been beset by a supply glut and the weakest margins in more than 15 years.
Four years in, Blue Indy car-sharing service still stuck in the red
Blue Indy has yet to see a money-making year, and the company’s top Indianapolis official says he can’t predict when that will happen.
Technology, temporary help keep farmers on job longer
In the U.S. last year, the median age for domestic farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers was 56.4 years old. That’s the highest median age of any major occupation tracked by the government’s Current Population Survey for which data was available.
Duke Energy sued for environmental harm from 2014 coal ash spill
The federal, North Carolina and Virginia governments asked a court Thursday to declare the country’s largest electricity company liable for environmental damage from a leak five years ago that left miles of a river shared by the two states coated in hazardous coal ash.
Two groups appeal Indiana’s permit for coal-to-diesel plant
The groups say they’re concerned about potentially “dangerous air pollution” being released by Riverview Energy’s planned $2.5 billion project in southern Indiana.
Indiana seeks federal aid for 88 counties over crop losses
Gov. Eric Holcomb is seeking federal disaster aid for farmers across most of Indiana for crop losses caused by flooding and excessive rainfall during the planting season.