Farmers risk loss of federal payments, loans, from shutdown
Direct payments for farmers who haven't certified production, as well as farm loans and disaster assistance programs, won't start up again until the government reopens.
Environment
Articles
Cleanup set for 200,000 waste tires left at Indiana business
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management estimates cleaning up the reclamation site in Anderson could cost up to $262,000.
FDA casts shadow on hemp law, calling CBD products illegal
The hemp industry still has work ahead to win legal status for hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as an ingredient in food or dietary supplements despite the big farm bill signed this week designating hemp as an agricultural crop.
U.S. farmers see China’s return to soybean market as ‘drop in the bucket’
China’s return to the U.S. soybean market this week comes too little, too late for many farming families to put more Christmas presents under the tree this year.
Christmas tree farmers combat popularity of artificial trees
Between 75 percent and 80 percent of Americans who have a Christmas tree now have an artificial one, and the $1 billion market for fake trees is growing at about 4 percent a year.
EPA proposes rolling back another Obama-era coal rule
The EPA’s acting administrator signed a proposal that would loosen rule that would have required cutting-edge carbon capture techniques for new coal plants. Andrew Wheeler said the requirements were “excessive burdens” on the industry.
U.S. farms taking wait-and-see stance on Trump’s trade truce
U.S. farmers are pleased that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce, but they’re not rejoicing just yet.
Heritage Group founder Fehsenfeld remembered as ‘revolutionary builder’
Fred M. Fehsenfeld, who died Nov. 28 at 94, built an Indianapolis-based company that employs 6,500 people around the world in the core industries of environmental and remediation, specialty chemicals and fuel products, and construction and materials.
California ag-tech accelerator laying down roots in fertile Midwest
Agricultural and ag-technology firms in Indiana and throughout the Midwest are about to get a major shot of fertilizer from a California accelerator with blue-chip partners that plans to expand here.
IndyGo OK so far with electric buses, despite Albuquerque woes
IndyGo and bus maker BYD Ltd. say they’re confident the electric buses Indianapolis plans to use for the Red Line will meet the system’s needs.
Fed report shows farm income on the decline
The Fed says the third-quarter report released this week was the 19th straight survey in which most bankers indicated that farm income was on the decline.
State programs aimed at cutting energy usage aren’t enough, critics say
Indiana, one of the largest per-capita energy consumers in the nation, ranks 40th among states for energy efficiency, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
EPA plan for truck emission standards wins initial praise from both sides
The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, which represents Indiana-based Cummins Inc. and other engine manufacturers, said the proposal represents a chance to modernize how the agency oversees big-rig emissions.
Air, groundwater tests in Franklin detect cancer-causing chemicals
The EPA is expanding its contamination testing area near a former electronics manufacturing facility. The federal government has also begun installing air filtering systems in some residences.
EPA cites Indiana factory for toxic lead
The discovery comes less than a year after Indiana officials renewed the company's air pollution permit, despite concerns from residents.
Indiana paper straw maker planning to add 200 employees
The company's straws are an alternative to plastic straws, which are being banned or restricted in some places. It said demand was skyrocketing for the product.
Cummins focuses on both diesel and uncertain electric future
Columbus-based Cummins Inc. is doing a bit of a juggling act these days—staking its claim in the new realm of electric vehicles while keeping its legacy diesel business humming.
State: $2.5B coal-to-diesel project won’t harm air quality
According to the air permit application, the plant would have annual emissions of about 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide, 225 tons of carbon monoxide and 120 tons of sulfur dioxide.
Indiana becomes epicenter of campaign battles over Trump trade policies
Tariffs are weighing heavily on the tossup U.S. Senate contest between Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly and Republican Mike Braun.
McCordsville winery to close tasting room, discontinue public events
A McCordsville winery is closing its tasting room and calling off public events amid an ongoing battle with the town over a noise ordinance.