Price of Indiana farmland at a premium
A once-in-a-generation combination of strong grain prices, high farm incomes and unprecedented interest in commodities investments has caused prices for agricultural acreage to skyrocket.
Energy & Environment
Articles
ProLiance might go on block
Indianapolis-based ProLiance, a natural-gas marketer and supplier, was singed by a $57.2 million pretax loss in the first nine months of 2011, causing some analysts to wonder if majority owner Vectren Corp. will try to sell its 61-percent stake in the company.
Bill seeks elected utility consumer counselor
A legislator is proposing that Indiana’s utility consumer counselor be elected rather than appointed by the governor.
Ethanol makers shrug off expiration of key tax credit
It looks like motorists, not ethanol makers, stand to feel the pain of a federal tax credit that expired at the end of last year.
Seats from Bush Stadium to live on at bus stops
A local group has partnered with IndyGo to pay homage to one of the city’s great sports landmarks by installing Bush Stadium’s seats at bus stops all over the city.
Daniels praises delay of federal pollution rule
Gov. Mitch Daniels is praising a court ruling that's delayed an Obama administration regulation aimed at reducing power plant pollution in 27 states that contributes to unhealthy air downwind.
Bugs may be resistant to genetically modified corn
One of the nation's most widely planted crops — a genetically engineered corn plant that makes its own insecticide — may be losing its effectiveness because a major pest appears to be developing resistance more quickly than scientists expected.
Going green is driving savings at Cummins
Cummins has invested about $10 million in 70 projects in its Indiana facilities since 2007, leading to annual savings of $4 million.
Unions approve deal with gas utility Vectren North
The firm says 270 union workers will soon be back on the job after they ratified a new three-year labor agreement.
State unlikely to revive natural-gas grandeur
Indiana was once the world’s capital for natural-gas production, but recent advances in drilling and resource-recovery technology are not likely to revive those glory days anytime soon because of a combination of human-made and natural obstructions.
Neighborhood eyesore headed for demolition
The city is soliciting bids from companies to tear down four buildings on the 16-acre Avanti Development Corp. property, which is tucked in a residential area a few miles west of downtown Indianapolis.
Vectren locks out union workers in dispute
Vectren has locked out 270 union workers at several Indiana worksites after the union rejected a proposed three-year-contract.
City avoids foreign brands in adding to its fleet of hybrid vehicles
The Department of Public Works bought Ford Fusion hybrids after the purchase of Toyota’s a few years ago stirred controversy.
Utility counselor seeks reprieve on coal plant emissions
In a letter to the EPA, Indiana's utility consumer counselor says the three-year timetable threatens the safety and reliability of Indiana's power supply while ignoring the high cost of compliance.
Grand jury indicts former state utilities chief Hardy
David Lott Hardy, who was fired from his job as chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in 2010, is accused of official misconduct.
Downtown getting blast-resistant manhole covers
Utility crews are installing about 100 new manhole covers in downtown Indianapolis that are designed to reduce the extent of damage from underground explosions and fires.
Hoosier Environmental Council joins forces with upstate advocacy group
Valparaiso-based Legal Environmental Aid Foundation will help HEC extend its reach.
Environmental group to focus legislative efforts on energy savings, transit
Led by Jesse Kharbanda, the Hoosier Environmental Council is keeping its agenda lean to boost chances for success in short session.
Bad weather for some Indiana crops helped vineyards
Purdue University wine experts say lousy growing conditions this year for some Indiana crops proved ideal for the state's vineyards.
Land gift preserves 40 acres in Indianapolis suburbs
The donation to the Central Indiana Land Trust comes from farmer Van Eller, who lived most of his life on the land now surrounded by Fishers and Carmel subdivisions before he died last year at age 89.