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.
Utilities
Articles
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.
IPL wants rate hike that would boost average bill by $8 per month
Indianapolis Power & Light is seeking a general rate increase for the first time since 1994, and the company estimates that the average residential customer's bill would rise 8 percent.
Canadian investor to pay $593M for stake in IPL
The parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light Co. plans to use the investment to help fund $1.4 billion in capacity improvements and environmental upgrades for IPL.
Wind farm companies make $650 million deal
German utility company E.ON has sold most of its minority ownership stake in a 126-turbine central Indiana wind farm to majority owner Enbridge Inc.
U.S. Supreme Court to review EPA power-plant standards
The U.S. Supreme Court is stepping into a new case about Obama administration environmental rules, agreeing to review a ruling that upholds emission standards for mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
Indiana American water rates to rise slightly under settlement
Indiana American Water customers will see an increase in rates next year under an agreement the company reached with consumer advocates. But the hike won’t be as high as the company requested.
Consumer office opposes Duke Energy’s $1.9B Indiana plan
Indiana's utility customer advocate says regulators should reject Duke Energy Corp.'s proposal for a $1.9 billion electric grid upgrade in the state.
HALE, NEGELE: Bring more transparency to Indiana energy bidding
As legislators on committees dealing with energy and utilities, economic development, agriculture and state finances, we are hearing from a growing number of businesses, big and small, as well as schools and individual constituents, sounding an alarm over rising electricity rates.
Non-industrial users have little clout on electricity prices
Manufacturers and other big users band together to lobby, but the vast majority of businesses have no collective ability to drive down their electricity costs.
Fill ‘er up: Gas under $3 per gallon again
Seasonal swings and other factors will likely send gas back over $3 sooner than drivers would like, but the U.S. is on track for the lowest annual average since 2010—and the 2015 average is expected to be lower even still.