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.
Energy & Environment
Articles
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.
Plan approved for wind farm; Purdue to do research
Zoning officials have approved scaled-back plans for a northern Indiana wind farm where Purdue University researchers plan to study the impact of the towering turbines.
Citizens gets state OK for steep wastewater rate hike
State regulators on Wednesday approved a rate hike that will increase monthly wastewater bills by about 26 percent, or close to $14 on average, for Citizens Energy Group customers.
Pork packer planning to produce 98 positions at Indiana plant
Indiana Packers Corp., which makes Indiana Kitchen bacon, said it will spend $2.3 million on a 56,500-square-foot facility on 5.9 acres about 45 miles from Indianapolis.
Study: Fuels from corn waste not better than gas
A $500,000 study paid for by the federal government and released Sunday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Climate Change concludes that biofuels made with corn residue release 7 percent more greenhouse gases compared with conventional gasoline.
Largest solar farm on Superfund site goes online
The nation's largest solar farm built on a federal Superfund site is now generating power in Indianapolis on property once tainted by a long-closed plant's wood-treating operations.
Environmental groups sue to stop Illiana Tollway
Chicago environmental groups filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop the proposed $1.3 billion Illiana Tollway linking northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, claiming the Illinois Department of Transportation doesn't have authority to develop it.
IPL wants rate hike to fund car-sharing charging stations
Mayor Greg Ballard’s hope of making Indianapolis the first U.S. city with an all-electric car- sharing service hinges on a rate hike to cover $16 million in costs to Indianapolis Power and Light.
Farmers off to slow start planting corn crop
As of Sunday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says, just 3 percent of the U.S. corn crop was sown, half the dismal pace of last year.
Citizens plans $114M in upgrades for water system
Among the planned projects are a new groundwater treatment plant near Morse Reservoir, a booster station to improve water pressure on the northwest side, and several large water main replacement projects.
State green-lights deeper look into fuel costs at Duke plant
A state agency for utility consumers had requested additional scrutiny for periods late last year when Duke Energy Indiana’s Edwardsport plant consumed more energy than it produced.
Pence renews talks over $2.1B fertilizer plant
Indiana economic development officials have renewed talks with Pakistan-connected developers who want to build a major fertilizer plant in southwestern Indiana, one year after the state withdrew its support for the project over national security concerns.
Reservoir opponents warn of impact on rare wetland
Kevin Tungesvick, a local restoration ecologist, said the proposed $350 million Mounds Lake Reservoir would inundate the Mounds Fen State Nature Preserve, which features a wetland that formed following the last ice age.
Indiana seed commissioner seeks federal hemp OK
Although the Indiana Legislature approved a measure allowing hemp to be grown in the state, the state still needs permission from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.