U.S. farmers who sell to China feel pain of Beijing’s tariffs
On Monday, President Donald Trump told reporters that a new program to relieve U.S. farmers’ pain is being devised and predicted that they will be “very happy.”
Energy & Environment
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Q&A with Austin Broadwater, who urges building owners to think about the birds
Austin Broadwater encourages owners and managers of large buildings downtown to turn off or dim their lights at night during the spring and fall bird migration seasons.
Mexico says tariffs will send tomato prices soaring in U.S.
Mexico’s Economy Department said Tuesday that U.S. consumers could pay 38% to 70% more for tomatoes if the U.S. Commerce Department re-imposes anti-dumping duties on Mexican imports.
Indiana among 3 finalists for USDA divisions, but proposed location unknown
Indiana’s short-listed proposal—submitted by Purdue University and state officials—was one of 136 received by the USDA last year from 35 states. Relocating the two research divisions to Indiana could bring 570 federal jobs.
International joint venture planning $29.5M plant in Rushville, up to 250 jobs
The facility would process maize straw from as many as 150,000 acres of cornfields annually into a peat moss substitute for agriculture and foam products for material science uses.
Seed company Beck’s plans $62M expansion of Hamilton County HQ
The Atlanta-based company said the expansion would double its processing capacity and add 56 jobs over the next few years.
EPA reaffirms glyphosate safe for users as court cases grow
The Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed Tuesday that a popular weed killer is safe for people, as legal claims mount from Americans who blame the herbicide for their cancer.
Ford faces U.S. criminal investigation of emissions testing
Ford confessed in February to having taken a flawed approach to using road-load specifications to simulate how aerodynamic drag and tire friction can affect the fuel economy of its vehicles outside testing labs.
Hemp-production bill approved by General Assembly
Legislation that would increase hemp production in Indiana is on the way to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his approval.
Indiana regulators reject Vectren’s plan to build $780M gas plant
The utility had wanted to build the gas-fired plant to replace aging coal-burning units, but regulators said the plan was too risky and inflexible.
Ex-EPA chief Pruitt registers as energy lobbyist in Indiana
Scott Pruitt, the scandal-ridden former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, registered Thursday as fossil-fuels interests in the state fight to block the proposed closure of several coal-fired power plants.
Indiana House defeats proposed moratorium on new power plants
The House voted 53-38 Thursday to strip language that would have prohibited the state from approving new power plants for two years, a move widely seen as delaying construction of renewable energy projects.
Turkey Run State Park added to National Register of Historic Places
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says the park northeast of Terre Haute was added to the national registry because of its cultural value to Indiana and its national history.
Indiana Republicans push for moratorium on new power plants
The House Utilities Committee advanced legislation this week along party lines that would prohibit state regulators from approving any large new power plants until 2021. Environmentalists and utilities say the move could interrupt the transition from coal to renewable fuels and natural gas.
State electric plants pivoting away from coal
The industry is retiring coal-fired plants in favor of cheaper energy sources, including gas, solar and wind.
Two Franklin schools reopen after air testing
The Franklin Community Schools announced the decision for Needham and Webb elementary schools after the testing of a total of 44 indoor air samples from the two schools.
New system at Notre Dame turns food waste into energy
The university said the Grind2Energy system will reduce non-consumable food waste on campus by more than 2,000 pounds a day while contributing to the clean-energy needs of a local farm.
Midwest Fertilizer says $2.8B Indiana plant still on track
The construction of the plant in southwestern Indiana is still on course following the resolution of a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service, the facility's developers said.
Report: Great Lakes region warming faster than rest of U.S.
The trend likely will bring more extreme storms while also degrading water quality, worsening erosion and posing tougher challenges for farming, scientists reported Thursday.
South Side Landfill planning $25 million methane-conversion project
The landfill is teaming up with two energy companies to capture methane at the landfill and convert it into renewable energy. The partnership is seeking a tax abatement on the project.