U.S., local forecasts call for lower heating bills this winter
Heating bills should drop this winter for most U.S. households thanks to a combination of lower energy prices and warmer weather.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Farm family near Grand Park adapted to encroaching development
Craig Wood has spent most of his 60 years on 191st Street in Westfield, living and working on his family farm. For most of that time, the adjacent land has been other houses and farm fields, but that all changed on Nov. 18, 2011, when construction on Grand Park Sports Campus began.
Neither side happy with EPA’s new ozone standard
The Obama administration set a new national ozone standard Thursday. Business groups said it is unnecessary and could jeopardize jobs. Environmental groups said it didn’t go far enough.
Growth allows Oliver Winery to invest in big equipment
This year’s grape harvest—a process which typically runs from the end of August to the second week of October—promises to be a bit less anxiety-inducing thanks to a decision that has been slowly processing over the past five years.
Environmental groups unhappy with lead smelter settlement
A proposed settlement of alleged Clean Air Act violations involving Exide Technologies’ battery-recycling facility has upset environmental groups because the agreement doesn’t require the firm to retrofit its complex with equipment that could dramatically cut lead emissions.
Covanta moving forward on automated recycling plant
Covanta still faces opposition as it moves closer to starting construction on a $45 million facility in Indianapolis that will use automation to pluck salvageable recyclables from household trash.
Dow AgroSciences opens research facility at Illinois
Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences is opening the facility in the research park at the University of Illinois' Champaign-Urbana campus.
State facing steep bill to keep water systems running
Much of the infrastructure that transports water from municipal drinking water plants in Indiana to homes and businesses is old and worn, and the state faces significant costs to complete needed upgrades, repairs and expansions.
Volkswagen to be subpoenaed in probe by 27 states
A majority of U.S. states, including Indiana, have begun a joint investigation of Volkswagen AG in the widening fallout from the company’s admission that 11 million of its diesel vehicles use software to cheat emissions tests.
VW not first manufacturer to use deceptive emissions tactics
Almost as soon as governments began testing vehicle emissions, automakers and engine manufacturers found ways to cheat. Indiana-based Cummins Inc., for instance, was involved in a high-profile case in the late 1990s.
Notre Dame to reduce carbon footprint after pope’s plea
Notre Dame President John Jenkins plans to announce Monday that the university will spend $113 million on renewable energy sources, including a hydroelectric project, solar power and geothermal fields.
Industrial power users fighting to get off grid
Indiana’s manufacturers and municipal utilities are preparing to wage a battle with investor-owned power companies in their desire to get a handle on rising electricity costs.
Turkey breast prices jump after bird flu creates shortage
U.S. restaurants and retailers are facing a shortage of turkey-breast meat, with prices at a record high. The nation’s worst outbreak of avian influenza is to blame.
Oil production in U.S. seen tumbling due to price drop
Amid booming U.S. production and high OPEC output, the benchmark price of oil plunged from more than $100 per barrel last year to about $45 this week.
Connersville’s award-winning water could be bottled for sale
The Alliance of Indiana Rural Water recently named Connersville as having the best-tasting water in Indiana. The city’s economic development agency is looking into bottling that award-winning water.
Indy Parks director leaving for position in Texas
Indy Parks Director John Williams has accepted the position of director of parks and recreation in Waco, Texas, the city of Indianapolis announced Wednesday morning.
Agricultural lab planning $12M facility near airport
Sure-Tech Laboratories wants to relocate its Indianapolis operations from leased space at 2435 Kentucky Ave., south of Raymond Street, to a 5,832-acre site west of South Girls School Road and north of West Washington Street.
BlueIndy faces challenges in quest for wide adoption
BlueIndy plans to charge past its skeptics as its electric car-sharing program launches in Indianapolis Sept. 2, leaving behind the political consternation about whether Mayor Greg Ballard went rogue in green-lighting the program in the first place.
BP restarts part of key oil refinery after repairs
An analyst said gasoline prices in Indiana and neighboring states served by the refinery could fall 20 cents to 50 cents a gallon over the next two weeks.
Comer named commissioner of state environmental agency
Carol Comer, the chief of staff at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, has been promoted to commissioner by Gov. Mike Pence, the state announced Tuesday.