So far, in discussing his plan to sell the city’s water and sewer utilities, Mayor Greg Ballard has
emphasized the impact on utility rates, the $1.5 billion in city debt Citizens would assume, and the chance
to improve streets and sidewalks. But Ballard also has another key objective: business attraction and
expansion.
A $1.9 billion proposal to sell the city’s water and sewer utilities splashed into public view last month, but some
financial details settling at the bottom line could make the deal harder to swallow.
Matthew Klein has agreed to serve on a panel discussion concerning the canal: “Indy’s Central Canal—public
resource
or private pipeline?” during the Indiana University Law Environmental Symposium, April 1 at IUPUI’s Inlow Hall.
Citizens Energy Group’s plan to buy the city’s water and sewer systems will require the utility to raise $262 million in new
bond debt and inherit $1.5 billion in debt. Yet Citizens executives maintain the financial load should not impair the bond
ratings of its principal utilities, Citizens Gas and Citizens Thermal.
Cost savings from combining three utilities helped give Citizens Energy Group an advantage in the deal to take over Indianapolis’
water and sewer operations, said Michael Huber, the city’s director of enterprise development.
Experts
say Indianapolis is moving forward on recycling, that environmental research is discovering promising technologies, and that
manufacturers are finding new things to make. Local cognoscenti from the green community testify to these developments in
five included videos.
Retirees re-energize legal battle against IPL, seek rehearing in Court of Appeals over post-retirement funding case that could
cost utility $100 million.
Carolene Mays plans to leave the Indianapolis newspaper after being named to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Indiana lawmakers have taken another step in advancing legislation that supporters say will give a boost to Indiana's
renewable energy movement.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has appointed former Democratic state Rep. Carolene Mays of Indianapolis to the Indiana Utility Regulatory
Commission.
More industrial construction is going on in Indiana than in any nearby state.
Indianapolis Power and Light Co. is suing its engineering consultant over an industrial accident that spilled 30 million
gallons of polluted water into White River.
Indiana Court of Appeals upholds utility commission ruling favorable to IPL. Although court does "not condone" IPL’s action in the retirement benefits case, it gives deference to the commission.
A consumer group opposing Senate Bill 115 argues the measure is yet another concession to the developer of a coal-to-methane
plant proposed in Rockport.
Duke Energy is offering buyouts to employees as it moves some corporate functions performed in two Midwest offices,
including its central Indiana office in Plainfield.
The Indiana Utility Shareholders Association aims to be the “collective voice” of investors
in four of the big utilities operating in Indiana.
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. made the claim in testimony submitted to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as part
of a hearing investigating complaints that the utility’s tree-trimming policies are too aggressive.
Forrest Lucas has hired lawyers to help the Concerned Citizens of Crawford County in their opposition to a proposed wood-burning
power plant near Milltown in southern Indiana.
The word “nuclear” isn’t even mentioned, but Senate Bill 69 is a virtual launch code for reviving attempts
at commercial nuclear power in Indiana.
The Purdue University-based State Utility Forecasting Group predicts that Indiana’s electricity rates could rise by 2013 due
to more stringent environmental guidelines.
