DuPont, spinoff to pay $671M in chemical leak case
More than 3,500 federal and state lawsuits allege that the DuPont Co. Washington Works plant, near Parkersburg, West Virginia, had dumped perfluorooctanoic acid into the Ohio River.
Energy & Environment
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Former utility CEO sentenced to 33 months in prison
Donnis Mizelle, 56, pleaded guilty to embezzling $580,000 from an Avon-based utility and using the money for personal expenses, including vacations, jewelry and a Mother’s Day brunch.
Big utilities try to tilt solar energy market in their favor
On Thursday, Indiana legislators will begin debating a proposed law that could eventually eliminate much of the financial benefit Indiana homeowners, businesses and even some churches currently reap harvesting the sun's rays.
Citizens coke plant site has its share of ‘challenges,’ Hogsett says
Transforming the site to a criminal justice complex would take years of contaminant cleanup, officials said Tuesday, but construction could overlap with that work.
Growing ad agency takes prime space on Monument Circle
Bradley and Montgomery has renovated the second floor of the Indianapolis Power & Light Co. building, adding modern touches while keeping some organic elements.
Transition official: Trump wants to slash EPA workforce, budget
The EPA has been roiled by turmoil during its first week under President Donald Trump, as members of the transition team issued what it has described as a temporary freeze on all contract approvals and grant awards.
Bill alarms solar-power advocates
Critics say the bill would effectively wipe out a key financial incentive for homeowners and businesses to install rooftop solar systems and windmills.
Northwestern Indiana man to be consumer counselor
The appointee, Bill Fine, held an Indiana House seat representing northwest Indiana before losing the seat in the November election.
IDEM doles out $1M in recycling grants
Five of the grants are for central Indiana projects—ranging from a curbside recycling program in Shelbyville to an agricultural plastics collection and processing project in Marion County.
Gas prices heading up after lengthy reprieve, forecasts say
The 2017 increase likely won't be large. But a range of local companies, from logistics providers to auto auctioneers, will be keeping an eye on the situation.
Former IDEM leader to lead Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources
Carol Comer, who served as commissioner of Indiana’s Department of Environmental Management until earlier this month, has already landed a new job in Missouri.
Citizens sells liquefied natural gas unit to equity firm
A five-year-old Indianapolis company that supplies liquefied natural gas to trucking companies, manufacturers and other customers is now under new ownership.
Judge denies injunction to block VA’s Crown Hill cemetery project
The Indiana Forest Alliance said the judge's ruling "makes a travesty of our environmental law" and vowed to appeal.
Obama’s EPA moves to preserve gas-mileage requirements
Friday’s action keeps in place pollution-reduction targets for the years 2022-2025. That means the fleet of new cars will have to average 51.4 miles per gallon by 2025, up more than 18 mpg from the 33.2 mpg requirement in 2015, the most recent year available.
U.S. government accuses Fiat Chrysler of cheating on emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a “notice of violation” to the company that covers about 104,000 vehicles, including the 2014 through 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram pickups.
Ballard interviews for Trump administration job
Indianapolis’ former two-term Republican mayor was in New York City to interview for a job in President-elect Trump’s administration and says he’s “deeply impressed” with the transition team.
Closing IPL’s toxic ponds could cost millions
As IPL ditches coal in favor of natural gas at power plants in Indianapolis and Martinsville, the utility wants to close their coal ash pits, cover the tops with plastic membranes, and top them off with nearly three feet of sand and soil.
Atterholt wants job back on state utility board
Gov. Mike Pence’s chief of staff, who will lose his position when Pence leaves office on Monday, is seeking to return to the five-member state commission that oversees utilities.
Pence extends minimum energy standards for buildings
The outgoing governor was set to let the rules expire on Jan. 1. A Department of Homeland Security spokesman says new outdoor stage rules are also in the works.
IPL seeks rate hike that could add $10 per month to typical home bill
The utility says the increase, which would go into effect by the end of 2017, would be used to build one of the “cleanest, most efficient natural gas plants ever to be built in Indiana.”