Farmers push revised ag-gag bill; critics say problems remain
Senate Bill 101 would create a crime known as “agricultural mischief” and it’s aimed primarily at stopping secret videography and photography of farming operations.
Energy & Environment
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Thousands still without power amid bitter cold
Indianapolis-area power companies called in hundreds of out-of-town workers, many from out of state, to repair downed lines amid Monday’s record-setting cold. About 20,000 customers still lacked power late Monday.
Government might deregulate corn, soybean seeds
The federal government on Friday proposed eliminating restrictions on corn and soybean seeds genetically engineered to resist a common weed killer. The new seeds, developed by Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences, would allow farmers to use the weed killer throughout the plants' lives.
Car guy falls in love with Tesla after visiting new local dealership—and taking a drive
The new electric-powered Tesla Model S corners a lot like a Lamborghini and has more than twice the range of a Nissan Leaf.
EPA fines Crawfordsville over Sugar Creek pollution
Crawfordsville will pay $96,000 in environmental fines because a city-owned wastewater treatment plant was putting too much copper into a creek, according to a federal court filing in Indianapolis.
Report: Indiana power rates to rise a third by 2023
The report by the State Utility Forecasting Group projects that Indiana's electricity rates will increase by 32 percent from 2013 to 2023, driven upward by new federal pollution restrictions and other factors.
Better homes and gadgets: Household power use falls
Even though our lives are more wired than ever, power usage is on track to decline for the third year in a row due to more energy-efficient housing, appliances and consumer-friendly devices.
Kokomo to debut curbside recycling program
City officials hope the program can reduce the community’s trash-disposal costs by 35 percent.
Flexsteel settles Elkhart contamination suit for $6.25M
The Iowa-based furniture maker was accused of polluting the water wells of nine homes in the northern Indiana community.
Citizens Energy reports $81M loss, lower executive pay
The 2013 loss was far greater than the $11.8 million in red ink Citizens reported in fiscal 2012. Meanwhile, CEO Carey Lykins’ annual compensation dropped $1 million, to $1.9 million.
Wind farm says Duke violated contract
The owner of a northern Indiana wind farm says Duke Energy Indiana Inc.—which had agreed to buy energy the 87-turbine operation produces—breached its contract, “proving disastrous.
MISO takes control of Entergy system, extends grid to Gulf
The Carmel-based power grid operator is expanding its footprint from Manitoba and the U.S. Midwest to the Louisiana coast.
U.S. invalidates 33.5M renewable fuel credits after fraud
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it has invalidated renewable fuel credits sold by an Indiana company for biofuel it didn’t produce. The filing Wednesday follows fraud charges filed against the former owners of the Middletown-based E-Biofuels LLC in September.
State’s top court gives Rockport developer a victory
The state's high court ruled unanimously Tuesday that an alteration of the contract the plant's developers signed with the Indiana Finance Authority did not constitute a significant change.
Dominion puts area solar-power projects into service
Dominion Resources Inc. said Monday that the three projects near Indianapolis are capable of providing enough electricity for up to 7,200 homes. Dominion acquired the projects in July from Sunrise Energy Ventures.
Farm Bureau: Ethanol proposal should be scrapped
The organization says corn prices have dropped more than 5 percent since word of the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule was leaked in October.
Two Indiana plants get $15M in clean-energy credits
A federal agency has awarded two Indiana manufacturers, including one in Indianapolis, more than $15 million in tax credits intended to boost their production of clean energy equipment.
Business veteran to direct Indiana agriculture agency
Ted McKinney, who grew up on a family farm in Tipton County, will replace Gina Sheets, who’s leaving after a year on the job to do mission work in Liberia.
Green BEAN to grow in Louisville after competitor closes
The Indianapolis-based produce and groceries distributor has acquired a list of hundreds of customers and vendors in the area who are losing their current service.
IDEM: Buy real Christmas trees to support farmers
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is urging Hoosiers to help farmers, the environment and the economy by buying Indiana-grown Christmas trees this year instead of artificial ones.