IU researchers question economics of diesel hybrids
Fuel savings and environmental benefits might not be worth the higher cost of such vehicles.
Energy & Environment
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Ex-Progress CEO says Duke tried to nix merger amid tensions
Bill Johnson, the man who was CEO of Duke Energy Corp. for eight hours after its $17.8 billion takeover of Progress Energy Inc., began testifying Thursday to the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
Regulators to quiz CEO ousted in utility takeover
North Carolina regulators expect testimony Thursday from the CEO ousted by Duke Energy Corp. within hours of becoming the top executive of the country's largest electric company.
Duke Energy seeks delay in CEO-switch testimony
Duke Energy Corp. asked state regulators Tuesday for a weekslong postponement of testimony by two top directors, including local businessman Michael Browning, about the surprise CEO switch at the top of America's largest electric company.
Browning ordered to testify over Duke Energy CEO’s ouster
Indianapolis real estate developer and Duke Energy Corp. director Michael Browning has been ordered to appear Friday before the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which is investigating the unexpected ouster of the utility’s new CEO just hours after the company merged with Progress Energy Inc.
USDA official to visit Indiana farms amid drought
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Undersecretary Michael Scuse will travel to Indiana on Wednesday and Thursday to tour drought-stricken farm fields in Allen and White counties in northern Indiana and Johnson County south of Indianapolis.
Indianapolis nears record for driest 45-day period
If the forecast for no rain on Monday holds up, the 45-day rainfall total would match a stretch in August and September 1908 that's the city's driest since the weather service started keeping records in the 1870s.
Some Indianapolis fountains shut off amid drought
A watering ban sparked by Indiana's prolonged drought has prompted operators of several fountains in downtown Indianapolis to take steps to conserve water.
Indiana creates new rules on utility tree-trimming
Changes include requiring Indiana utilities to provide at least two notices to owners two weeks before the scheduled trimming.
State delays expanding water shortage warning
Indiana officials on Thursday decided against expanding a water shortage warning even though more than 80 percent of the state is in a severe drought.
Fire, water worries grow worse amid Indiana drought
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is banning lawn watering in the city beginning Friday, and all smoking has been banned during a county fair in central Indiana because of the conditions caused by this summer's drought.
USDA reports corn in 18 states hurt by drought
Corn and soybean prices surged Monday after the latest government report showed a widespread drought in the middle of the country is hurting this year's crop. Indiana and Illinois have been particularly hard hit.
City parks foundation chooses new president
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation has selected Tanya Husain as its new president, the group announced Monday. Husain will replace retiring parks foundation president Cindy Porteous.
Sudden Duke Energy CEO shift puts Rogers in spotlight
Three former board members of Progress Energy Inc. said they would have voted against Duke's $17.8 billion takeover offer had they known Rogers would remain in charge of the combined companies.
IPL pulling plug on renewable-energy effort
Indianapolis Power & Light says beginning next March it will stop offering to buy electricity from customers who generate it from renewable sources—a blow to advocates of wind, solar and other clean forms of energy.
Drought brings added challenges for not-for-profit farms
The parched conditions have forced staff and volunteers at dozens of not-for-profit farms and community gardens to struggle with problems as basic as finding water.
Drought deals blow to ethanol industry
Indiana’s 13 plants distilling the automotive fuel ethanol could soon be sputtering as drought dries up the supply and boosts the price of corn, their main ingredient.
Purdue: Food price increases likely after long drought
The persistent hot, dry weather has hit farm production in Indiana, the nation's fifth-largest producer of corn, harder than any other major corn and soybean producing state.
Rogers stays in charge at Duke Energy after CEO resigns
Duke Energy Corp. on Tuesday unexpectedly announced the resignation of Bill Johnson, previously named to be the CEO after its $17.8 billion takeover of Progress Energy Inc. James Rogers has been named CEO of the merged companies effective immediately.
Drought could have mixed impact for Indiana farmers
Agriculture experts say some Indiana farmers are already facing big crop losses because of this summer's drought.