Wal-Mart targeted by lawsuit for local PCB discovery
The complaint stems from the discovery of the carcinogen at a Wal-Mart return center on the east side of Indianapolis. The suit seeks class-action status on behalf of its 600 workers.
Energy & Environment
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USDA approves new modified corn, soybean seeds
The farmers won't be able to take full advantage of the seeds until the EPA issues a second ruling allowing the use of weed killer Enlist. The EPA has said it will rule this fall on Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences' application to market the chemical.
Paper companies sue over Indianapolis recycling deal
A lawsuit filed by two paper companies and an Indianapolis resident seeks to invalidate a city agreement with Covanta to build a $45 million recycling center.
Indiana gives initial OK to off-site manure ponds
A state panel gave preliminary approval Wednesday to Indiana's first rules governing big stand-alone ponds and lagoons built to hold manure trucked in from livestock farms.
Banner year for central Indiana crops nothing to bank on
Hoosier farmers are expecting a record haul in corn and soybeans this year, but crop revenue might fall below production costs.
Renault teams with Bollore to promote electric cars
Renault SA is teaming up with French billionaire Vincent Bollore to make electric cars as the two struggle to establish a market for the emission-free vehicles, including one in Indianapolis.
Court: IURC erred in approving Duke fee hike
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday that state utility regulators wrongly approved $61 million in ratepayer fees for the Edwardsport coal gasification plant.
Pence fills opening on Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
James Huston fills a vacancy on the IURC created in May when James Atterholt, who had been the panel's chairman, stepped down to become Pence's chief of staff.
Work progressing on eastern Indiana wind farm
Dozens of 320-foot-tall towers are going up in an eastern Indiana county for what will be another wind farm in the state.
Fee approved for Vectren to replace Indiana pipes
The approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission gives Vectren permission to charge a monthly fee to cover 80 percent of the project's estimated $865 million cost. The fee will show up on customer bills starting in 2015 and continue through 2021.
U.S. farm income seen falling from record 2013 levels
Lower prices for corn and soybeans will drive the profits of U.S. farmers down to an estimated $113.2 billion in 2014, a decline of 14 percent from last year’s record, according to the Department of Agriculture.
New solar farm in Richmond begins generating power
Indiana Municipal Power Agency said the 8-acre solar farm on the grounds of Richmond Power and Light contains about 4,000 solar panels. They will generate enough electricity to power about 200 homes.
Coats: Planned reservoir can’t rely on fed money
U.S. Sen. Dan Coats said planners of a proposed central Indiana reservoir shouldn't look to the federal government for help in financing the $450 million project.
IPL moves to drop coal from Harding Street power plant
Indianapolis' electricity utility plans to convert its aging Harding Street power plant entirely to natural gas by 2016, after facing growing pressure to do so from environmental groups and politicians.
Proportion of zero-car households rolls past 10 percent
Indianapolis experienced one of the fastest gains in car-less households of any major city in a recent five-year period, according to U.S. Census data compiled by a University of Michigan researcher.
Farmers on pace for record corn crop, report says
A bigger crop was expected as adequate rain and cool temperatures made for favorable growing conditions in the 18 states that produce 91 percent of the nation's corn.
Groups want Indianapolis utility to test water
Environmental, health and neighborhood groups are calling on the Marion County Health Department to compel Indianapolis Power & Light to test groundwater at eight coal ash lagoons on the city's south side.
Byproducts big business for Morgan County grain mill
It appears one man's bust is another's boom, because many of the reasons byproducts have become so popular are the same reasons you're paying historically high prices for beef.
UPDATE: Cool summer sets hopes for record harvest
The nation's corn and soybean farmers are on track to produce record crops this year as a mild summer has provided optimum growing conditions.
UPDATE: City board approves recycling deal with Covanta
Despite heavy lobbying from opponents, the Indianapolis Board of Public Works on Wednesday voted 4-1 in favor of a contract extension with incinerator operator Covanta that will make the company the city’s main household recycling provider for the next 14 years.