One of Indiana’s largest natural gas utilities predicts customers’ bills in its largest service territory might be 25 percent
to 30 percent lower this heating season compared to the last one.
The city too often relied on the Department of Waterworks’ board, on consultants and on the private
operator, Veolia Water, rather than on the department’s own staff “to ensure safe and efficient
operation, maintenance and management” of Indianapolis Water. That’s one of several critical
findings of a consultant hired by the department and filed as part of a 35-percent rate-hike request
pending before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is seeking public input on a proposed rate hike by American Water Inc.,
which has 283,000 customers in the state, including in Noblesville and Greenwood.
Officials grappling with a water utility deep in debt and a sewer infrastructure needing upwards of $2 billion in
upgrades were swamped with proposals about how to fix the mess.
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.<
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.
Peabody Indiana Services LLC notified the Indiana Department of Workforce Development on Monday that it will close its surface
mine operations at Francisco in southwestern Indiana, putting about 80 employees out of work.
Among 23 firms that have expressed interest in operating Indianapolis’ water and sewer systems is Macquarie, the Australian
firm that operates the Indiana Toll Road under a 75-year, $3.8 billion lease. In July, the city asked companies to express
interest in operating the systems.
John Hancock Life Insurance Co. today asked a federal judge to force Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative to post an
additional $20 million in escrow as the utility continues to challenge a $125 million claim against it by the New York-based
insurer.
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.
Brownsburg company Blood Hound Inc.is adding offices and revenue is booming.
There are no nuclear power plants in Indiana, but lawmakers are expected to wrestle next year with whether to offer an incentive
that could boost prospects for building reactors in the state.
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.
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. has agreed to a 20-year contract with a state agency to potentially draw millions of gallons
of water from southern Indiana’s Lake Monroe.
A company planning to build a $285 million plant that would turn trash into ethanol has narrowed its site search to three
locations in northwestern Indiana.
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.
I urge Sen. Evan Bayh to vote against the “cap and trade” legislation pending in the Senate.
A municipality has filed the first formal complaint against a cable television operator since state telecommunications reform
three years ago unplugged local government oversight of operators.
Duke Energy has proposed spending $121 million to study the feasibility of injecting carbon dioxide deep underground, adding
1 percent to the average ratepayer’s bill between 2010 and 2013.
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.
