Indiana halfway to floodplain conservation goal
Gov. Mitch Daniels says Indiana's two-year-old Healthy Rivers INitiative has permanently protected nearly 30,000 acres of floodplains along the Wabash and Muscatatuck Rivers from development.
Environment
Articles
Indianapolis fighting spread of ash borer in parks
Crews are treating ash trees in Indianapolis' city parks to combat the spread of the tree-killing emerald ash borer.
Jackson Systems plans expansion, 32 jobs
Environmental control maker Jackson Systems LLC plans to expand its Beech Grove operations, almost doubling its work force and the size of its headquarters by 2014.
15 percent of Indiana listed in moderate drought
Abnormally dry conditions cover half of Indiana, with 15 percent of the state officially in a moderate drought, and weather experts don't believe the rain that's expected the next few days will bring significant relief.
Murphy USA opens quick-charging stations for electric cars
Speed is thought to be an obstacle to the widespread adoption of plug-in vehicles.
State’s advanced battery initiative charging ahead
Following setbacks, industry leaders prepare to launch innovation center downstate
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New environmental board will need more expertise
Those who are concerned about public health and environmental protection should be disturbed by the elimination of the Air Pollution Control Board, the Water Pollution Control Board, and the Solid Waste Management Board and replacing them with a single Environmental Rules Board.
New Dow, Monsanto crop needs study, vegetable growers say
A coalition of vegetable growers, including one from Indiana that contains Red Gold Inc., wants U.S. regulators to study the potential damage facing their fields from a new generation of herbicide-tolerant crops.
Indiana farmers tempted to plant early by warm spring
Many farmers across Indiana have been weighing whether to take advantage of this spring's warm weather and plant their crops earlier than usual. Doing so, however, would put them at risk.
Lower crop reserves raising food costs in election year
U.S. corn stockpiles are poised to be the smallest in 16 years by August and soybean reserves will be lower than the government expected, potentially accelerating food-price inflation in an election year.