IURC OKs Duke Energy rate hike to fund more than $1B in upgrades
Under a settlement Duke reached with consumer groups, customers will pick up $1.4 billion of the price tag, down from the $1.8 billion the utility originally sought.
Energy & Environment
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IPL seeks rate hike to clean up Petersburg coal plant
IPL has filed petitions with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to install $100 million worth of pollution controls at Petersburg, a move it says will allow it to meet strict environmental regulations.
Concerns raised over Indiana plan to adopt coal ash rules
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is taking public comments through June 30 on its draft plan for adopting the new rules.
Regulators test emissions at Kokomo glass company
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has begun testing around Kokomo Opalescent Glass to determine if the art-glass manufacturer is emitting hazardous amounts of potentially toxic materials.
$10M solar farm approved for ex-steel plant site in Kokomo
The solar farm will go on a portion of a former Continental Steel plant, which underwent a federal project costing more than $40 million to demolish the factory and remove tons of lead- and PCB-contaminated waste.
Utility commission job sits open as cases stack up
A seat on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has been open more than two months, despite a requirement that three candidate names be submitted to the governor within 40 days of the vacancy.
UPDATE: Indianapolis to turn on first new streetlight in 35 years
The city plans to end a moratorium on new streetlights by installing 100 lights in areas with high accident and crime rates, and in growing neighborhoods, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday.
Study: Mounds Greenway would bring $13M in annual benefits
An environmental group that’s fought a proposed central Indiana reservoir says a study it commissioned shows its rival idea would bring tourism, environmental, transportation and public health benefits.
‘Zero-waste’ Natatorium aims to make big splash
IUPUI and Natatorium officials have embarked on an ambitious initiative to assure that at least 90 percent of the waste generated at the newly renovated building is either recycled or composted.
IPL promotes Sanchez to fill vacant president’s job
Rafael Sanchez, who joined IPL five months ago as senior vice president of strategic planning, has been promoted to the top job, the utility announced Wednesday.
Chemical companies facing tougher EPA oversight
Congress is working to send President Barack Obama the biggest overhaul of rules governing chemicals in four decades, a change sought by an industry that has faced a hodgepodge of retailer bans, consumer boycotts and state regulations.
Bartholomew County board blocks 100,000-panel solar farm
The Bartholomew County board voted unanimously to deny a petition by Vogel Solar LLC of Santa Monica, California, to erect 100,000 solar panels on 156 acres in the northeastern part of the county.
Germany’s Bayer makes $62 billion offer for Monsanto
The news is the latest example of a huge shakeup in the agricultural industry.
Weeks of rain hamper Indiana’s corn, soybean planting
Agricultural experts say rainy, cool weather has left Indiana’s farmers well behind in the spring rush to plant their corn and soybean crops.
Bayer takeover of Monsanto would further shake up ag industry
The sector is undergoing a wave of consolidation, driven in part by falling crop prices, which have reduced farmers' spending on genetically enhanced seeds. Locally based Dow AgroSciences is merging with DuPont’s ag unit, and ChemChina is buying Syngenta.
Coal mine woes may mean environmental bills for taxpayers
As more coal companies file for bankruptcy, it's increasingly likely that taxpayers will be stuck with the very high costs of preventing abandoned mines from becoming environmental disasters.
Fertilizer firm plans $450M coal-gasification plant conversion
A Connecticut-based company is planning to convert a closed coal-gasification plant in Indiana into an ammonia fertilizer production facility.
Electric cooperative planning more Indiana solar farms
The latest of 10 solar farms that Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative is developing is planned for 10 acres along Indiana 135 near the Johnson County town of Trafalgar.
U.S. industrial output jumps by most since November 2014
Industrial output—which includes factories, mines and utilities—rose 0.7 percent from March. It had dropped the previous two months.
National FFA Organization names new chief executive
Mark Poeschl, of Brookville, Ohio, will take over leadership of the Indianapolis-based National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation on Aug. 1, succeeding Dwight Armstrong, who is retiring after leading the organizations for seven years.