U.S. charges Duke with illegal pollution from coal ash dumps
Duke Energy said Friday that it has already negotiated a plea agreement under which it will admit guilt and pay $102 million in fines, restitution and community service.
Utilities
Articles
Conservative groups oppose Indiana net metering bill
Like Common Core to the education world, the utility issue of net metering is drawing opposition from conservative groups with a libertarian bent.
Bill that riles solar industry passes House committee
A controversial bill to change the guidelines governing Hoosiers using alternative energy sources – including solar and wind power – passed a House Committee on Wednesday.
Study shows no big issues over proposed Indiana reservoir
The state-funded study looked at the cost and environmental impact of the proposed 2,100-acre Mounds Lake reservoir, which would be formed by putting an earthen dam on the White River in Anderson, with an estimated cost of $440 million.
Vectren offers rebate for using smart thermostat
Vectren, the gas utility serving most of central Indiana, will offer $100 rebates on WiFi-enabled programmable thermostats in 2015.
Regulators slash proposed rate-hike request for BlueIndy plan
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on Wednesday shot down the bulk of a plan by Indianapolis Power & Light to charge ratepayers $16 million for costs involving a proposed all-electric car-sharing service called BlueIndy.
Solar industry plots cooperative strategy
Imagine seeing the price of gas drop 50 percent, then finding out you couldn’t take advantage because of a law that excluded drivers who lease their vehicles or whose fuel tank is on the wrong side.
Study: Tax benefits could help homeowners justify solar
Farms have a greater chance than homes of saving money with solar, according to a recent study by Purdue University energy economists.
Report: States could help prevent natural gas explosions
Three powerful accidents in recent years highlight weaknesses in oversight of how natural gas providers maintain their largest pipelines, the National Transportation Safety Board reported.
Energy-conservation legislation easily passes Senate
The bill, authored by Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, would replace the Energizing Indiana program, which the General Assembly canceled last year over the objection of environmental groups.
Public comment sought in IPL rate-hike case
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is inviting written comments from Indianapolis Power & Light customers about the utility’s pending request to raise electricity prices.
Senators weigh in on utility territory disputes
The Senate Utilities Committee on Thursday passed a bill that shifts leverage to Indiana’s largest utilities and electric cooperatives in their struggle to keep municipal-owned utilities from taking valuable territory.
Telecom firms fight over bill altering state powers
Opponents of the bill say it would give big companies more leverage in negotiating connection agreements with smaller firms. Supporters say it just reduces redundancy in laws already on the books.
Utilities favor legislation changing economics of rooftop panels
Investor-owned utilities are lobbying for a bill that would allow them to alter customers’ credits for net metering, or generating energy on-site and selling it back to the grid.
Senate panel passes energy-efficiency utility bill
The Senate Utilities Committee voted 7-3 Thursday in approving a bill that would reduce state oversight of major utility companies' energy-efficiency programs.
Legislation seeks to replace Energizing Indiana plan
The Indiana Senate Utilities Committee will consider a bill Thursday that could let power companies develop new energy-efficiency plans and then charge customers more to implement them.
IPL’s pitch: Tie less of bill to energy usage
No matter how little energy customers use, Indianapolis Power & Light would be guaranteed more revenue under a recent proposal to raise rates and fees.
Pence proposes utilities set own energy-efficiency goals
Last year, a new law scuttled Indiana’s program for reducing energy use statewide. Gov. Mike Pence’s alternative would allow energy companies to set their own targets.
Fracking boom, gas-pipe replacement drive growth for pipeline firm
Miller Pipeline has seen its head count grow from 1,700 to 3,600 since 2008, partly because of its investment in the shale-oil fracking boom. But it also has a lucrative fallback line of business: replacing aging natural-gas pipes.
Electric utilities battle over annexing territories
Municipal-owned utilities are trying to fend off an attack on a state law that allows them to expand their territories through annexation. Rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities say they’re losing big customers.