Indiana Michigan Power plans $500M in improvements
A utility that provides electricity for more than 582,000 homes and businesses in Indiana and Michigan has begun a $500 million project to improve infrastructure over the next eight years.
Energy & Environment
Articles
U.S. Senate sends massive farm bill to Obama
The sweeping farm bill that Congress sent to President Obama Tuesday has something for almost everyone, from the nation's 47 million food stamp recipients to Southern peanut growers, Midwest corn farmers and the maple syrup industry in the Northeast.
Indiana Senate OKs bill targeting efficiency program
The measure would allow industries that are Indiana's biggest energy users to pull out of the Energizing Indiana program, which provides energy-efficiency assessments and tips for saving energy and lowering utility bills.
House sends Indiana winery bill to Senate
HB 1387 would allow wineries to sell 5,000 gallons per year to retailers located within the same county as the winery or in neighboring counties.
Gas utilities warn of big January bill increases
Natural gas customers in central Indiana will pay $30 to $50 more than a year ago when they receive their January gas bills because of the unusually cold weather.
Bill limiting environmental rules heads to Indiana Senate
Indiana regulators would be barred from adopting environmental rules tougher than federal standards under a bill that's advancing in the General Assembly that has drawn criticism that it would hamper efforts to protect the state's environment and public health.
Pence declares energy emergency over propane shortage
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence outlined steps that have been taken in an effort to help Hoosiers during the state’s propane shortage.
Proposal would cut sales tax for propane users
Republicans say they will offer an amendment to Senate Bill 1 to eliminate the sales tax on any propane that costs more than $2.50 per gallon.
Proposed hunting, fishing amendment to start over
A Senate committee passed a proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would protect Hoosiers’ right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife – but without language to protect farming that was included three years ago.
Utility regulatory openings generate heavy interest
Twenty-one candidates are in the running to fill two openings on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Propane costs soar amid winter supply squeeze
Many distributors in the Midwest are limiting the amount of propane they deliver to customers. And the Indiana attorney general’s office is urging Hoosiers to conserve the amount of propane used to heat their homes.
Lawmakers advance bill allowing industrial hemp crops
Hemp plants could start appearing in Indiana fields if a state Senate bill to allow growing the crop gains support from lawmakers.
Senate passes bill to protect agricultural rights
Senate Bill 186 provides that it is the responsibility of the state to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of agriculture. The goal is to guide the courts to interpret state laws to be sympathetic toward farmers.
Investors seek payoff from Indiana oil wells that big players ignore
Indiana is experiencing a mini oil-boom, thanks to some big producers, but some small, private investors are also in on the game, through Indianapolis-based Midwest Energy Partners, formed four years ago by former CountryMark executive Bill Herrick.
Airport looking to solve runoff problem from de-icing
Indianapolis International Airport officials are looking for a way to cut their sewage-treatment bill, which topped $1 million last year because of the large volume of de-icing chemical that ends up in retention ponds.
Committee strips down, passes ag-gag bill
A Senate committee watered down a bill Tuesday that was meant to stop secret videography and photography of farming operations.
NiSource’s pipelines make it a prime takeover target
NiSource, which operates the largest natural gas distribution company and second largest electric distribution company in the state, could be acquired by a company seeking to profit from the shale-gas boom.
Gas leak prompts downtown evacuations
Streets were closed Monday morning near the Central Library as utility crews tried to suss out the cause of the leak.
Bill would bolster Hoosier homegrown products
House Bill 1039 – approved unanimously Thursday by the Agriculture and Rural Development committee – is meant to bolster a program that brands Indiana-grown produce and meat.
Two groups challenge Indiana coal-gasification permit
The Sierra Club and Valley Watch want an administrative law judge to strike down the Department of Environmental Management's December decision to extend Indiana Gasification's permit until June 27.