Indianapolis launches first phase of building energy tracking program
Called Thriving Buildings, the program’s initial phase includes voluntary participation by private building owners while mandating participation for some municipal buildings.
Utilities
Articles
Indiana regulators approve settlement cutting I&M electric rates
State regulators have approved a settlement with Indiana Michigan Power under which the utility will cut its Indiana residential customers’ base electric rates nearly 6% by next year.
Indiana lawmakers pass ‘baby nukes’ bill, send it to governor
The Indiana General Assembly has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would allow electric utilities to build small modular reactors, a move that could pave the way for commercial nuclear power in the state for the first time.
City finalizing $650,000-plus deal that restored water to troubled properties
Five days after announcing a deal with Citizens Energy Group to restore water service to tenants at two south-side Indianapolis apartment complexes, officials said they’re planning to get the city’s money back, but a lack of communication with the properties’ owners could complicate matters.
Hallador Energy acquiring Merom electric plant in Sullivan County
The 1-gigawatt power plant in southwestern Indiana is currently owned by Hoosier Energy and is approaching retirement.
IBJ Podcast: Is nuclear power headed to Indiana?
IBJ reporter John Russell joins the podcast to talk about why the Indiana Legislature is consider a proposal that could help clear a path for smaller, modular nuclear reactors to be located in Indiana.
Senate panel advances bill to set voluntary state standards for wind and solar projects
Indiana lawmakers are taking another stab at setting up statewide standards for large wind and solar projects, a year after a group of counties shot down an earlier effort.
Indiana Senate panel advances bill allowing small nuclear reactors
The vote represents a major shift for Indiana, which has never had commercial nuclear power and has long relied on coal to power homes and factories.
Majority of states pursue nuclear power for emission cuts
As climate change pushes states in the U.S. to dramatically cut their use of fossil fuels, many are coming to the conclusion that solar, wind and other renewable power sources might not be enough to keep the lights on.
EPA moves to crack down on dangerous coal ash storage ponds
Plants in four states, including Indiana, will have to close the coal ash ponds months or years ahead of schedule, the EPA said Tuesday, citing deficiencies with groundwater monitoring, cleanup or other problems.
Carmel-based company bringing ‘floatovoltaics’ to Midwest
Solential Energy Solutions LLC is partnering with France-based Ciel & Terre to secure solar arrays engineered to float on the surface of reservoirs and treatment lagoons.
Critics urge Duke Energy to green up more quickly
The state’s largest electric utility wants to retire much of its coal-fired generating fleet by 2035, but critics say Duke Energy lags all other Indiana utilities in the green-energy transition.
UPDATE: About 3,500 AES Indiana customers remain without power Sunday morning following 2 weather events
The company said it expects the restoration of electric service to be “substantially complete” by late Monday evening.
Carmel-based power grid manager faces challenge of keeping up with electricity demand
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, is the organization responsible for managing the power grid across Indiana, 14 other states and the Canadian province of Manitoba.
Consumer advocate recommends denial of Indiana utility’s rate-hike request
Bill Fine, the Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor, wrote in a filing that “after receiving base rate increases in 2018 and 2020, I&M has not made the case for this increase at this time.”
Power plant problems lead AES to seek more cash from customers
AES Indiana’s Eagle Valley natural gas power plant, located near Martinsville and capable of powering about a half-million houses, conked out in April, due to problems with breakers and relays. Six months later, it is still offline while technicians try to repair a wide range of damage to critical parts.
Work starting on 13,000-acre solar farm in two Indiana counties
The $1.5 billion solar farm’s first phase is expected become operational by mid-2023 and will produce 400 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 75,000 households, according to the company.
Citizens projects ‘small increase’ in winter heatings bills; CenterPoint sees much bigger hike
Citizens Energy Group said it would use various measure to keep prices down even though the market price for natural gas is about double the level of last fall.
Fishers plans to buy portion of Hamilton Southeastern Utilities for $90M
While many cities are selling their wastewater systems to utility companies, the city of Fishers is bucking the trend.
Duke Energy under pressure to break into 3 pieces
Activist investor Paul Singer says the huge utility has been underperforming its peers and argues that Duke’s customers would be better served by locally managed utilities.