Indiana lakeshore closer to becoming national park
A U.S. House committee has advanced a plan to make Indiana's Dunes National Lakeshore the state’s first national park.
Energy & Environment
Articles
More than 1 million chickens die in Indiana egg farm fire
Winds helped spread the fire to multiple barns before it was brought under control early Tuesday. Officials say firefighters from 22 departments responded to the scene.
Maryland suing EPA over power plants in Indiana, other states
Maryland is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to act on a petition requiring power plants in five upwind states, including Indiana, to reduce pollution.
Indiana regulators OK Vectren’s grid upgrade, rate increases
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved the Evansville-based utility's plan Wednesday.
Veolia North America closing Indy office in consolidation effort
Veolia North America, a utility giant that operated water and wastewater operations in Indianapolis from 2002 to 2010, is closing a local office that employs about 90 people.
Purdue wins $19M federal grant to develop shale-fuel technology
The five-year grant from the National Science Foundation is expected to provide an early boost to Purdue’s new engineering research center.
U.S. solar panel installers brace for first decline as rooftop demand slips
The solar industry is girding for a slowdown after a decade of double-digit expansion.
Indiana agency may ditch newspaper ads for online notices
The state Department of Environmental Management announced that it's considering replacing public notice ads of some permit applications with electronic postings on the agency's website.
First income gain for U.S. farms in four years signals hope
Signs of stability have returned to the farm economy, and farmland values could rise 2.3 percent this year following a decline in 2016, federal data shows.
Harvey could have deep impact on oil supplies, U.S. economy
Massive flooding caused by Tropical Storm Harvey along Texas' refinery-rich coast could have long-standing and far-reaching consequences for the state's oil and gas industry and the larger U.S. economy.
Energy Department calls for easing rules on power plants
The department said in a new report that the closure of many plants that once formed the backbone of the grid has raised the risk that consumers might not have reliable electricity.
Indianapolis, IPL ink $12M contract to update 27,000 streetlights
The city said it will use the savings from the more energy-efficient lights to add another 4,000 streetlamps.
Vectren considering sale after takeover interest, sources say
Vectren provides gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million customers in service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and about 20 percent of Ohio.
Preservationists cry foul over state plan to log 300 acres of state forest
Preservationists say they are concerned about the potential impact on recreation and endangered species. Forestry officials say selection techniques will be used to improve, not harm, the forest.
Auto-industry stalwarts Cummins and Allison rev up for era of electrification
Industry players find themselves in a precarious spot. If they don’t embrace the electric-vehicle future, they look backward. But if they dive in with excessive exuberance, they risk wasting hundreds of millions of dollars.
Regulators reject massive Midwest wind-power line with Indiana connection
The line would run from Kansas through Missouri and Illinois to Indiana, where it would connect with a power grid for eastern states.
Fertilizer company moves forward with $2.8B project in Indiana
Midwest Fertilizer Co. will begin construction on its Posey County manufacturing facility next year. Construction is projected to support more than 2,500 jobs.
EPA chief discusses Clean Water Rule with Indiana officials
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency has discussed a federal water rule with Indiana officials, but environmental groups say they weren't included in the conversation.
Trust donating $4.9 million for White River improvement projects
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust awarded the funds to nine organizations involved in a multi-year initiative to protect, restore and better use the White River.
Former Bell Aquaculture facilities in Indiana acquired for $14 million
Maynard, Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies plans to produce genetically engineered salmon at the facilities.