Indiana moving slowly on lake phosphorus rules
A state effort to address phosphorous pollution that has fouled Indiana's waterways is moving forward slowly, but environmental groups' hopes for help from lawmakers is likely to be dashed this year.
Regulation
Articles
State power rates could increase 14 percent under new rules
An analysis prepared for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission predicts new federal clean air regulations will raise electricity rates in the state by about 14 percent by 2020 because of necessary upgrades to coal-fired power plants.
Hoosier Environmental Council monitoring three bills in General Assembly
The state’s largest green group is seeking changes to measures it says could strip funding and oversight for environmental protection.
Bill seeks elected utility consumer counselor
A legislator is proposing that Indiana’s utility consumer counselor be elected rather than appointed by the governor.
Daniels praises delay of federal pollution rule
Gov. Mitch Daniels is praising a court ruling that's delayed an Obama administration regulation aimed at reducing power plant pollution in 27 states that contributes to unhealthy air downwind.
Utility counselor seeks reprieve on coal plant emissions
In a letter to the EPA, Indiana's utility consumer counselor says the three-year timetable threatens the safety and reliability of Indiana's power supply while ignoring the high cost of compliance.
Grand jury indicts former state utilities chief Hardy
David Lott Hardy, who was fired from his job as chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in 2010, is accused of official misconduct.
Regulators approve deal on $2.65B gasification plant
Indiana regulators have approved plans for a $2.65 billion coal gasification plant at the Ohio River city of Rockport and a state agency's 30-year contract to buy its synthetic natural gas.
Indiana expands probe into Indy manhole blasts
Indiana utility regulators are expanding a third-party review of Indianapolis manhole explosions to include the latest two blasts.
NIPSCO to spend $5B for power-system upgrades
The Merrillville-based utility said it plans to spend $5 billion in the next 10 years on electrical system improvements, including almost $1 billion on environmental upgrades at its coal-fired plants.
Ethics scandal costs Duke Energy in two rulings
A 2010 ethics scandal involving the former chief legal counsel for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has come back to bite the state’s biggest electric utility.
Panel: State power rates will rise 20 percent over 6 years
Factors driving up rates will be new plant construction, installation of pollution controls, and improvements to extend the operating life of existing power plants.
Indiana panel gives early approval to new water rules
The rules specify under what circumstances, and by how much, polluters can increase pollution into the state's surface waters.
Cummins OK with new federal fuel standards for trucks
U.S. truck makers are expected to improve tractor-trailer fuel economy by about 20 percent by 2018, saving $50 billion in fuel costs over five years and decreasing carbon-dioxide emissions, President Barack Obama said.
Police, health department busted by state environmental cops
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management says an inspection of the State of Indiana Forensic and Health Sciences Lab found open jugs of hazardous materials during an inspection.
Duke ignored water issue at Indiana plant, consultant says
Utility officials waited seven months to act on hazardous water concerns during construction of its costly Edwardsport plant and banked on winning an exemption, which the EPA later denied.
Consumer group accuses Duke of ‘gross mismanagement’
“Gross mismanagement” and improper communications with ex-regulatory chairman are among evidence in testimony to make Duke, rather than ratepayers, swallow major cost overruns at Edwardsport power plant.
Carrier counts on new environmental regulations to drive sales
Carrier Corp.’s plan to invest $36.5 million in its Indianapolis plant hinges in part on how well consumers take to a new platform of high-efficiency furnaces.
Regulators approve Indianapolis water utility transfer
State regulators on Wednesday approved a proposal to transfer control of Indianapolis’ water and sewer utilities to a local not-for-profit trust. The $1.9 billion sale will put management of the utilities into the hands of Citizens Energy Group.
Agency: Duke customers shouldn’t pay $530M in overruns
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor has filed a blistering rebuke of Duke Energy Corp. for the high cost of its Edwardsport coal-gasification plant and has asked regulators to deny Duke’s request to charge ratepayers $530 million for cost overruns.