Vectren’s third-quarter profit, revenue dive
Evansville-based energy company Vectren Corp. reported a 47-percent drop in profit for its fiscal third quarter.
Utilities
Articles
Indiana lands $39.4M in power-grid stimulus grants
IPL will receive $20 million to help pay for a $48.8 million project to install more than 28,000 smart meters; Midwest ISO
will get $17.3 million toward a $34.5 million project to install 150 phasor measurement units.
Vectren expects lower gas bills for many customers
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.
Consultant: Indianapolis water utility lax in overseeing Veolia
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.
American Water wants to raise rates
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.
City receives host of sale, privatization ideas for water, sewer utilities
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 governor expresses green-energy doubts
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.<
Waterworks proposes 35-percent rate hike
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.
Indiana mine operations to close, costing 80 jobs
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.
Toll road operator among water-utility suitors
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.
Insurer fires latest round in $125M utility case
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.
Water utility wants millions for treatment-plant upgrade, dam repair
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.
Utility-locating service Blood Hound grows quickly
Brownsburg company Blood Hound Inc.is adding offices and revenue is booming.
Debate about nuclear power in state returns to legislature
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.
Nucor Steel struggling to strike new power deal with Duke Energy
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 utility could buy Lake Monroe water
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.
Firm nears Indiana trash-to-ethanol plant-site pick
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 appeals regulators’ rate-hike decision
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.
Vote against ‘cap and trade’
I urge Sen. Evan Bayh to vote against the “cap and trade” legislation pending in the Senate.
City files complaint against Bright House Networks over unpaid fees
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.