UPDATE: Governor to sign Indiana recycling bill
Legislation that sets a goal for Indiana to eventually recycle at least half of its municipal waste is headed to Gov. Mike Pence's desk after passing the General Assembly.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Agency: Duke plant consumed more energy than it produced
The state’s Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor is trying to put the brakes on Duke Energy Indiana’s request for $1.5 million related to expenses at its Edwardsport coal-gasification plant.
Lawmakers vote to put Energizing Indiana program on hold
A bill that would sideline the state’s energy-efficiency program was sent to the governor Monday, but Indiana lawmakers are still mulling bills that would relax gun regulations in school parking lots and make some welfare recipients undergo drug-testing.
Coal train makes final delivery to Perry K Steam Plant
Once that coal is gone, the plant will be fueled by natural gas. Three of the plant's boilers have already been converted to natural gas and the final boiler will be converted by June.
Hamilton County planning to test CNG-fueled vehicles
Hamilton County commissioners aren’t just working on a plan to install rooftop solar panels on some public buildings. They’re also looking to take their energy-savings efforts on the road, with vehicles that run on compressed natural gas.
Environmental group against Mounds reservoir plan
A regional chapter of the Audubon Society says the proposed Mounds Lake Reservoir would hurt the natural environment near Anderson.
Groups seek investigation into plant’s power woes
Environmental and citizens' groups are asking Indiana regulators to launch a formal investigation into problems and delays that have sharply limited the power output of Duke Energy's $3.5 billion coal-gasification plant.
Hamilton County considering solar energy for public buildings
Hamilton County might soon join the growing ranks of large utility users looking to hedge against rising prices by producing some of their own power.
Dow AgroSciences nears jackpot from genetic engineering
Dow AgroSciences LLC is spending millions of dollars and racking up hundreds of patents as its expands ever deeper in the burgeoning global market for genetically modified crops and pesticides.
U.S. House backs bill to block EPA power plant rule
The Republican-controlled U.S. House moved Thursday to block President Barack Obama's plan to limit carbon emissions from new power plants, an election-year strike at the White House aimed at portraying Obama as a job killer.
Duke’s Edwardsport plant slows to crawl in January
Mechanical problems caused Duke Energy Indiana’s $3.5 billion power plant in Edwardsport to generate a mere 4 percent of its maximum capacity in January.
House sends industrial hemp bill back to Senate
The Indiana House approved a bill Monday that would allow farmers to grow hemp – a non-intoxicating cousin of marijuana – if the federal government lifts restrictions on the crop.
Indiana House OKs bill to end efficiency program
The bill's author, Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, said he's going to take the next few days to review the House's changes before determining whether to ask the Senate to approve it or send the bill to a conference committee to restore its original wording.
Modified hemp legalization bill moves to full House
The legalization of the production of industrial hemp is a step closer to reality in Indiana after the House Agricultural Committee passed an amended bill Tuesday.
Indiana House amends bill to end efficiency program
TThe House voted 66-30 to amend the bill with language that prohibits the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission from extending or entering into contracts for Energizing Indiana’s statewide energy efficiency program after Dec. 31
Grid operators feud over transmission lines, payments
Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc.’s recent expansion into the South has thrust the Carmel group into a dispute over whether it has to pay for using another firm’s power lines.
UPDATE: Bill to limit Indiana environmental rules dies
A state senator has killed legislation that would bar Indiana environmental regulators from creating standards harsher than federal rules.
Climate case at Supreme Court looks at EPA’s power
The Obama administration is squaring off at the Supreme Court with industry groups and Republican-led states, including Indiana, over a small but important program aimed at limiting power-plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming.
Two former IURC workers named to utility commission
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission openings generated heavy interest. Gov. Mike Pence added a second round of interviews in order to hear from 21 candidates.
Farm trespassing bill moves to full Indiana House
The bill would make trespassing on the production area of farm property a criminal offense and causing property damage to a farm an act of criminal mischief.