Indiana’s smelly news
If it isn’t huge methane bubbles in manure pits, its drug suspects actually hiding in the stuff.
Environment
Articles
IDEM chief choking on EPA’s new ozone proposal
Cost of proposed EPA ozone limit would far outweigh any potential health benefits, Indiana Department of Environmental Management
commissioner says.
Indianapolis gets $10 million for clean energy
The grant announced Wednesday is part of $452 million in stimulus funding nationwide for projects meant to make buildings
more energy efficient.
City-County Building ‘greening’ project to cost $8 million
City expects environmentally friendly overhaul of downtown headquarters to provide net savings of $250,000 per year.
Showdown for ethanol
Powerful new lobbies are fighting over the future of the controversial industry. Who are they appealing to? You.
Ethanol doubles its efforts in effort to keep subsidies
For years, ethanol fuel derived from corn was almost politically untouchable, thanks to powerful advocates on Capitol Hill.
The ethanol industry has consequently exploded over the last decade, thanks to government subsidies and incentives. But skepticism
about ethanol is rising, prompted by fluctuating food prices and an organized campaign by anti-ethanol advocates to discredit
the industry.
Steel company reaches settlement with EPA
Alro Steel Corp., which has plants in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, paid a $120,000 fine over hazardous chemical reporting
violations.
Duke: New coal plant’s cost rises to $2.9B
Duke Energy says the cost of the coal-gasification power plant it’s building in southwestern Indiana has risen by $530 million.
Indiana producing more wind power, but using little of it
Indiana saw a 700-percent increase in total wind-generated power in 2009, an increase second only to Utah, according to the
U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report.
ALTOM: Going green here may not be going green there
The idea behind the green office is to have a slightly smaller damaging
effect on the environment in general. That sounds great, but I never forget that you can’t make ripples in only one part of a pond.
Purdue solar car wins international contest
The three-wheeled Pulsar took top honors against 65 college and high school teams from eight nations.
Engeledow Group acquires estate landscaper
Engledow Group, one of the Indianapolis area's largest landscape companies, has acquired Litchfield Landscape Co. to bolster
its estates division.
Net metering bill short-circuited in legislature
Bill would have allowed businesses, universities and other organizations generating their own power to receive a retail credit
on their utility bills.
Meatpackers say inspection cuts will hurt small businesses
Indiana’s plan to lay off some meat inspectors has small, independent processors fearing for the future of what has been a
growing industry.
Consumer group touts financial benefits of energy efficiency
Opponents of energy/climate change legislation—which has predominantly been in the form of so-called cap-and-trade
legislation—aren’t convinced.
PANEL: Progress is being made on environmental issues in state
Experts
say Indianapolis is moving forward on recycling, that environmental research is discovering promising technologies, and that
manufacturers are finding new things to make. Local cognoscenti from the green community testify to these developments in
five included videos.
Timber industry seeks respect, profit from ‘green’ standards
Why should bamboo imported from Asia or steel made through intensive use of energy be consider greener than locally grown
trees? timber interests ask.
Ballard retooling city’s curbside recycling strategy
Mayor Greg Ballard plans to renegotiate the city’s trash-collection-and-processing deals, a move aimed at boosting Indianapolis’
woeful 3.5-percent curbside-recycling rate and making the city one of the best environmental stewards in the Midwest.
Cummins, government settle alleged air violations
Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. has agreed to pay a $2.1 million penalty and recall 405 heavy-duty engines for alleged Clean
Air Act violations.
Global warming = more snow?
A meteorologist says we can expect a string of cold, snowy winters, thanks to more moisture in the atmosphere.