State’s advanced battery initiative charging ahead
Following setbacks, industry leaders prepare to launch innovation center downstate
Energy & Environment
Articles
Indiana’s corn crop faces stress from heat, drought
An agricultural expert says Indiana's recent hot, dry weather is likely taking a toll on the state's young corn crop.
State, utility plan cleanup of long-closed gas plant
Indiana's environmental agency and Duke Energy Corp. are moving ahead with the cleanup of a long-closed manufactured-gas plant in Shelbyville.
Central Indiana wind-farm company seeking tax breaks
A company planning to build a wind farm spread across four central Indiana counties is asking officials in one of those counties for property tax breaks on a future phase of the project.
Sierra Club pressures utilities to find alternatives to coal
Dave Menzer, director of the Sierra Club’s new “Beyond Coal” campaign in Indiana, aims to spark discussion about the health and environmental costs of the state’s bituminous bounty that for years has brought relatively cheap electric rates.
State’s chilly recycling climate means higher costs for container makers
Some manufacturers favor legislation that would encourage consumers to return their empties.
Utilities, public clash on tree-trimming policies
Indianapolis Power & Light, others say money is at stake if tighter controls are enforced.
Companies seek solar-panel lease contracts from city
The City-County Council is set to hear a proposal by two companies to lease space on city-owned rooftops and sell electricity generated by solar panels installed in those spots.
Work on central Indiana wind farm set for this summer
A company planning to build a wind farm spread across four central Indiana counties north of Indianapolis says it has obtained 125 building permits for the project's first phase.
Abound Solar chief declines to testify before House panel
The CEO of a company that once said it planned to create up to 1,200 jobs north of Indianapolis has declined to testify before a U.S. House panel investigating the federal clean-energy program.
IDEM files proposed permit for $2.65B gasification plant
Indiana Gasification contends the project in Rockport will create 500 permanent jobs. Opponents say the plant will harm regional air quality.
Purdue announces $33 million energy plan
Purdue University plans to demolish an old coal-burning boiler, convert another coal-burning boiler to natural gas and install a natural gas-fired combined heat and power unit as part of a new comprehensive energy plan.
Duke Energy profit falls on Indiana plant settlement
Duke Energy Corp. said first-quarter profit fell 42 percent after a regulatory settlement in Indiana increased costs and mild weather reduced heating demand.
Bike trail push for Eagle Creek stirs controversy
Mountain bikers have salivated for years about building trails in the rolling hills of Eagle Creek Park, the city’s largest municipal park. But environmentalists worry the paths would cause erosion.
Indiana oil production surges amid high prices
Crude-oil production jumped 8.3 percent in Indiana in 2011, to just under 2 million barrels—the highest output in a decade, according to data from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Power-grid software maker lands $7M in venture capital
Indianapolis-based Blue Pillar Inc., which makes software to manage electrical grids, has closed on $7 million in funding from four venture capital firms, it said Monday.
Indiana announces proposed Duke Energy settlement
Duke Energy Corp. has agreed to cap the cost of its troubled coal-gasification plant in southwestern Indiana at $2.6 billion, or about $700 million less than the expected cost of construction, as part of a proposed settlement announced Monday.
Plant upgrades might cost IPL nearly $1 billion
New federal mercury-reduction regulations may force Indianapolis Power & Light to spend nearly $1 billion to upgrade its coal-fired electric plants scattered around Indiana. Duke Energy is mulling everything from plant upgrades to shutting down older units.
Work on city’s 8-mile sewage tunnel gets underway
Work is starting on an 8-mile-long tunnel under the south side of Indianapolis that is the first major part of a $1.6 billion project aimed at reducing the release of raw sewage into the city's rivers.
Indianapolis expects savings from sweeping energy project
The city is guaranteed $7.5 million in savings over 15 years from a $18 million upgrade of city facilities, and the savings are expected to accumulate further.