Indiana governor expresses green-energy doubts
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told a conference of industrial energy customers that the pursuit of green jobs and alternative fuels could increase energy costs without improving the environment.<
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Waterworks proposes 35-percent rate hike
The Indianapolis Department of Waterworks today unveiled a capital-improvements proposal that would raise water rates for
the average residential customer by 35 percent, or $8 a month.
Indiana panel OKs tougher golf course pesticide rule
A state panel has approved a new rule requiring workers who apply pesticides at Indiana’s golf courses to be certified
and licensed.
Water utility wants millions for treatment-plant upgrade, dam repair
Already swamped with higher debt costs due to a bond refinancing fiasco, the city’s Department of Waterworks is asking
the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to OK a rate hike to pay for capital projects.
Anderson firm aims to clean up diesel emissions
Engineer Refaat "Ray" Kammel’s Anderson engineering firm has received a $2-million grant from the Indiana Department of Economic Development to start manufacturing a patented device that will help old trucks meet new federal emission standards.
Nucor Steel struggling to strike new power deal with Duke Energy
After two years of fruitless negotiations, the Crawfordsville steel mill has asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
to intervene. More than 700 jobs depend on Nucor and Duke striking a deal.
Local panel to discuss climate bill’s possible business impact
A panel of energy and legal experts will gather tomorrow evening to discuss what the climate change bill now before Congress
could mean for Indiana businesses.
EPA proposes $1.1M settlement with Vertellus
Chemical-maker Vertellus Specialties Inc. will spend up to $1.1 million and change air-emission monitoring practices at its
plant on the southwest side of Indianapolis under a proposed settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Veolia appeals regulators’ rate-hike decision
Veolia Water Indianapolis, which manages the city’s water utility, has appealed an order issued by state utility regulators
that limited a major rate increase sought by the city.
Utilities favor federal carbon dioxide permit-trading plan
Resigned to inevitable government curbs on their carbon dioxide emissions, about
all Indiana utilities could do was say which poison they’d prefer to swallow. They’re closer to
getting their favorite poison, with the U.S. House passage June 26 of a bill that would create a market
for trading carbon dioxide permits.
Judge slams law firm Bose over ‘misrepresentations’ in Red Spot case
Bose McKinney & Evans’ defense of an Evansville company in a high-stakes environmental-contamination lawsuit has degenerated
into a fiasco, with a federal judge sanctioning both the client Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co. and law firm and ordering
each to pay half the plaintiff’s
legal bills.
A cap on cap and trade?
On May 15, the Wall Street Journal published a letter from Gov. Mitch Daniels laying out his sharp opposition to the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would set limits on carbon emissions to combat global warming.
Manufacturers to help pay for TV, computer recycling
The Indiana Recycling Coalition scored big in the just-concluded session of the Indiana General Assembly with the passage
of House Bill 1589, which requires that electronics manufacturers help pay for recycling of their old televisions and computer
monitors.
Telcos eye possible competition from electric utilities
A trade group for the state’s telephone companies is wringing its hands over budding efforts of electric companies to offer
so-called smart grids to better monitor and manage electric distribution.
Cap and trade could be double-edged sword
Cap and trade could lead us to a much cleaner, more prosperous future or it could devastate our economy.
IPL’s plan to stave off power plant upgrades would cost at least $31M
In a move to delay construction of expensive new generating capacity, Indianapolis Power & Light wants to roll out “smart”
electric meters to help customers conserve electricity.
State ends contract with local air pollution control agencies
Local health groups are aghast at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s decision to end contracts with six
local air pollution control agencies.
Sugar Creek Utility Co. seeks rate relief
Sugar Creek Utility Co. wants the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to grant it rate relief for the 84-lot manufactured
housing community Riley Village.
Hoosier Energy hit with $120M claim from John Hancock
An electric co-op supplying power to customers in 48 central and southern Indiana counties could face a perilous spike in
its financial load following a $120 million claim against it by insurance giant John Hancock Life Insurance Co.
Developers fear stricter IDEM cleanup rules
State environmental regulators are catching an earful for what some businesses complain is a rush to aggressive new rules
for remediating land contamination. Developers worry the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s proposals, which
could require comprehensive site cleanup, will discourage brownfield redevelopment, especially the reuse of tainted-but-valuable
land in urban areas.