State parks see surge in business as weather heats up
Revenue from year-long passes was up about 8 percent this year through the end of May compared to the same time last year, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Housing developer hopes farm hooks new residents
A growing number of housing developers thinks farms, rather than golf clubs, are the perfect hook to lure residents. The first to experiment with the concept in central Indiana is Mike Higbee of Central Greens LLC, with his Seven Steeples Farm on the site of the old Central State Hospital.
EPA official: Carbon rules built on methods in use
The agency's strategy is built around four existing approaches, including energy-efficiency programs and adoption of renewable energy such as wind or solar power.
Utility watchdog: Ending efficiency program ‘short-sighted’
The leader of Citizens Action Coalition said Indiana lawmakers put the state at a disadvantage when they passed a bill killing an energy-efficiency program that could have helped the state meet the new federal carbon-emission goal by 2030.
Obama seeks to cut U.S. power plant carbon by 30 percent
The plan isn’t expected to make a meaningful difference in reducing climate change, but will give President Obama evidence of America leading by example as he tries to persuade other nations to cut their carbon emissions.
State approves rate hike for Citizens Thermal
Citizens Energy Group will raise rates for about 250 customers that use the utility’s steam and chilled water services.
Experts expect higher electric bills amid tighter pollution rules
The Energy Department predicts retail power prices will rise 4 percent on average this year, the biggest increase since 2008. By 2020, prices are expected to climb an additional 13 percent, a forecast that does not include the costs of coming environmental rules.
Beech Grove sues Franciscan, blames it for sewage backups
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Marion Superior Court, claims the flow of storm water into Beech Grove’s sanitation system has caused backups of raw sewage and storm water into the basements of homes surrounding the former hospital site.
Senators: Administration must support biodiesel
The Obama administration is considering changes that would significantly reduce the required amount of biodiesel in the United States. Industry groups, farm state lawmakers and others have called on the administration to reconsider.
IPL gets green light for Harding Street, Martinsville projects
State utility regulators on Wednesday gave Indianapolis Power & Light Co. the go-ahead to begin work on two high-profile power projects at a cost well over $600 million.
IBM, NiSource reach $600 million agreement
The seven-year agreement includes the creation and management of a hybrid cloud-computing system that would enable NiSource to continue to deliver services to its customers.
Military to partner with Purdue for greener energy
The hope is to convert up to half of the Navy and Marine Corps' energy to alternative sources such as biofuels by 2020 using energy conservation, renewable-energy generation and new technologies.
Lilly to appeal $450M ruling over poisoned workers in Brazil
Brazilian federal prosecutors had accused a Lilly subsidiary of incinerating toxic waste at the plant that it operated until 2003.
Indiana water regulator must wait for new job
The State Ethics Commission ruled Thursday that Gregory Ellis must wait at least a year before he can accept a job as director of government affairs for the Indiana American Water Co.
Obama climate rules unlikely to wait until after election
Within weeks, President Barack Obama's administration is set to unveil unprecedented emissions limits on power plants across the U.S., much to the dismay of many Democratic candidates who are running for election in energy-producing states.
State office seeks to block Indiana American Water rate hike
The Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor says a proposed rate hike by Indiana American Water Co. is unwarranted, and the company should actually lower existing rates.
Indiana Grown Commission now accepting applications
The IGIC was created by a law signed by Gov. Mike Pence on March 27. The legislation creates a commission that oversees the programs that market and promote Indiana-produced agriculture.
Supreme Court upholds EPA rule on cross-state pollution
The 6-2 ruling was an important victory for the Obama administration in controlling emissions from power plants in 27 Midwestern and Appalachian states. Texas led 14 states, including Indiana, and industry groups in challenging the rule.
Appeals court upholds dismissal of ethics charges against ex-IURC chief
Tuesday's decision means former Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission chairman David Lott Hardy is immune to criminal prosecution.
Indiana farmers make progress planting corn crop
The new report says that while many farmers took advantage of warmer, drier conditions in the past week to kick off their planting work, others held off because cool, wet weather is in the forecast for the next several days.