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.
Environment
Articles
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.
Merger of pollution boards worries enviros, chamber
A new state law that merges three longtime rule-making boards into a single panel is stoking concerns among business and environmental groups about what the shift could eventually mean for Indiana's environmental regulations.
Russian investor gives Ener1 fresh start
A Russian timber tycoon who poured millions into a battery maker with Hoosier roots is the new owner of Ener1 Inc. Boris Zingarevich supplied $50 million for Ener1’s March 30 exit from bankruptcy and is moving its headquarters from New York to Indianapolis—already home to its core subsidiary, EnerDel.
Investors still may clean up on some clean-tech bets
The spectacular flameouts of some startup firms underscores the risk of relying on infusions of federal money to keep a business viable.
Indiana fruit growers hope cold stays away after heat
Indiana fruit growers whose trees were lured into blooming weeks ahead of normal by a March heat wave surveyed their orchards Tuesday following a night of freezing or near-freezing temperatures that threatened the trees' tender blossoms.
Indiana DNR buys nearly 3,500 acres from utility
The purchased property will become the southern anchor for a conservation and recreation project aimed at permanently protecting more than 43,000 acres along the Wabash River and Sugar Creek.
Delaware County regroups after green factories fizzle
A central Indiana county is pulling back its financial support for a pair of green-energy companies who so far haven't delivered on plans for factories with hundreds of workers.
Corn crop could be ‘huge’ on warm weather, economist says
Corn production in the United States, the world’s biggest shipper of the grain, will be “huge” as warm weather encourages farmers to plant early to avoid the risk of late-season frost damage, economist Dennis Gartman said.
Indiana panel passes new water quality rules
An Indiana regulatory panel passed new rules Wednesday aimed at protecting the quality of the state's waterways. The new rules are aimed at lowering the levels of pollutants released into waterways by companies.
Purdue gets grant to develop cheaper solar cell
Purdue University researchers are working to increase the efficiency of a new solar cell that they say could become a significant player in energy production.
Foundations try to tap grain farmers’ wealth
The average price Indiana farmers received for a bushel of corn reached a high last August of $7.18, nearly twice as much as the prior year. That kind of windfall tends to benefit farm-equipment sales, but it could also lead to more charitable giving.
Honda looks to dealers to boost natural gas station network
Honda Motor Co. wants to double sales of its Indiana-made Civic Natural Gas sedans, but doing so
requires more fuel stations. The car maker wants some of its dealers to install pumps to sell the fuel.
Ener1 reorganizing; Bright Automotive folds
Both firms appeared a few years ago to be poised to hire thousands of workers. But they slid into a tailspin as anticipated funding failed to materialize and the market prospects for hybrid and electric engines dimmed.