Utilities favor legislation changing economics of rooftop panels
Investor-owned utilities are lobbying for a bill that would allow them to alter customers’ credits for net metering, or generating energy on-site and selling it back to the grid.
Energy & Environment
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Senate panel passes energy-efficiency utility bill
The Senate Utilities Committee voted 7-3 Thursday in approving a bill that would reduce state oversight of major utility companies' energy-efficiency programs.
Legislation seeks to replace Energizing Indiana plan
The Indiana Senate Utilities Committee will consider a bill Thursday that could let power companies develop new energy-efficiency plans and then charge customers more to implement them.
Indiana Senate panel endorses farmland tax relief bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 6-0 on Monday for a bill that would require property assessors to use 2011 soil-quality figures in this year's land-value determinations.
Green BEAN grows to Tennessee market
Expansion to the southeast marks the first move outside the Midwest for the organic-produce and grocery-delivery firm.
Panel postpones action on bill to limit local livestock rules
Senate Bill 249, if passed into law, would ban communities from adopting an ordinance preventing the construction of livestock facilities.
IPL’s pitch: Tie less of bill to energy usage
No matter how little energy customers use, Indianapolis Power & Light would be guaranteed more revenue under a recent proposal to raise rates and fees.
Pence proposes utilities set own energy-efficiency goals
Last year, a new law scuttled Indiana’s program for reducing energy use statewide. Gov. Mike Pence’s alternative would allow energy companies to set their own targets.
Fracking boom, gas-pipe replacement drive growth for pipeline firm
Miller Pipeline has seen its head count grow from 1,700 to 3,600 since 2008, partly because of its investment in the shale-oil fracking boom. But it also has a lucrative fallback line of business: replacing aging natural-gas pipes.
Company not backing down on quarry near Lafayette
A company is pushing ahead with plans for a limestone quarry along the Wabash River near Lafayette despite a new county ordinance meant to block the project.
Reservoir or riverside trail system: Which is best for Madison County?
Economic development officials are advancing a plan to dam the White River in Anderson and create a seven-mile lake, but environmental groups are pushing the idea of a riverside trail as an alternative with equal promise but less expense and environmental destruction.
Canadian investor to pay $593M for stake in IPL
The parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light Co. plans to use the investment to help fund $1.4 billion in capacity improvements and environmental upgrades for IPL.
Wind farm companies make $650 million deal
German utility company E.ON has sold most of its minority ownership stake in a 126-turbine central Indiana wind farm to majority owner Enbridge Inc.
Local recycling companies land grants, plan jobs
Indiana is awarding $600,000 to four companies, including two in Marion County, that recycle metals, wood and other materials.
Indiana high court deciding where to hold hog farm fight
The Indiana Supreme Court has been tasked with deciding which county court will hear a lawsuit filed by the Camp Tecumseh youth camp that seeks to stop a farmer from raising more than 9,000 hogs on nearby land.
State’s Christmas tree growers celebrate strong season
After a crippling drought that was felt for several years, local growers are crowing about their first good season in recent memory.
EnerDel regroups after missing job targets
EnerDel Inc. is regrouping under a strategy of targeting niche markets, as Indianapolis and Hancock County officials press executives about the firm’s future and former pledges of local investment and job creation that failed to pan out.
U.S. Supreme Court to review EPA power-plant standards
The U.S. Supreme Court is stepping into a new case about Obama administration environmental rules, agreeing to review a ruling that upholds emission standards for mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
Obama administration to propose stricter smog standard
The stricter standards could make it one of the most expensive regulations ever issued, with an estimated $19 billion to $90 billion price tag and double the number of counties in violation.
Indiana American water rates to rise slightly under settlement
Indiana American Water customers will see an increase in rates next year under an agreement the company reached with consumer advocates. But the hike won’t be as high as the company requested.