Bill alarms solar-power advocates
Critics say the bill would effectively wipe out a key financial incentive for homeowners and businesses to install rooftop solar systems and windmills.
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IPL seeks rate hike that could add $10 per month to typical home bill
The utility says the increase, which would go into effect by the end of 2017, would be used to build one of the “cleanest, most efficient natural gas plants ever to be built in Indiana.”
Indiana wind turbines slow down to protect bats during migration
A study from academic journal Bioscience said 600,000 to 900,000 bats are killed by wind turbines each year in the United States.
U.S. appeals court hears arguments in Clean Power Plan case
Lawyers for a coalition of states and businesses reliant on fossil fuels, including Indiana, made their case Tuesday to a federal appeals court that President Barack Obama’s plan to curtail greenhouse gases is an unlawful power grab.
State seeking input on IPL’s $100M plan to upgrade Petersburg plant
The utility says the move would allow it to keep burning coal at the Pike County plant and meet strict environmental regulations for sulfur dioxide and coal ash.
Hamilton County school district switches to solar power
Sheridan Community Schools, a small district of about 1,000 students, expects to save millions of dollars in power costs over 20 years with the move.
IPL targets 25 city locations for new streetlights
Indianapolis plans to install another 25 streetlights by the end of the year, continuing Mayor Joe Hogsett’s push to light up neighborhoods with higher accident and crime rates.
Three finalists named for open spot on state’s powerful utility board
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission hears hundreds of cases a year and regulates $14 billion worth of electric, natural gas, telecommunications, steam, water and sewer utilities.
Former utility CEO charged with embezzling $500K for jewelry, iPads, pizza
Donnis Mizelle, former CEO of Avon-based Hendricks Power Cooperative, defrauded the company to buy jewelry, electronics, sports tickets, and even meals for his own entertainment, according to federal officials.
IPL’s hiring of Sanchez as CEO shows utility ‘embracing change’
Rafael Sanchez, who took over in June as CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light Co., is a decidedly nontraditional pick to lead a company facing big challenges and difficult choices.
IURC OKs Duke Energy rate hike to fund more than $1B in upgrades
Under a settlement Duke reached with consumer groups, customers will pick up $1.4 billion of the price tag, down from the $1.8 billion the utility originally sought.
$10M solar farm approved for ex-steel plant site in Kokomo
The solar farm will go on a portion of a former Continental Steel plant, which underwent a federal project costing more than $40 million to demolish the factory and remove tons of lead- and PCB-contaminated waste.
UPDATE: Indianapolis to turn on first new streetlight in 35 years
The city plans to end a moratorium on new streetlights by installing 100 lights in areas with high accident and crime rates, and in growing neighborhoods, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday.
IPL promotes Sanchez to fill vacant president’s job
Rafael Sanchez, who joined IPL five months ago as senior vice president of strategic planning, has been promoted to the top job, the utility announced Wednesday.
Bartholomew County board blocks 100,000-panel solar farm
The Bartholomew County board voted unanimously to deny a petition by Vogel Solar LLC of Santa Monica, California, to erect 100,000 solar panels on 156 acres in the northeastern part of the county.
Coal layoffs in Indiana continue as industry struggles
Hundreds of Indiana miners have lost their jobs in recent months as national demand shrinks due to cheaper natural gas and tougher environmental policies.
IPL lands regulatory OK for $29.6 million rate hike
About 470,000 customers of Indianapolis Power & Light Co. can expect to see their monthly bills increase after state regulators approved an order allowing the utility to collect an additional $29.6 million in annual revenue.
Duke reaches settlement over $1.4B modernization plan
The utility said Monday it has reached a settlement agreement with the Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor and some consumer groups on its new plan, which calls for updating and replacing aging substations, utility poles, power lines and transformers.
MISO plans $30M expansion at Carmel headquarters
Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc. plans to add 84 employees by 2020 after reconfiguring its 133,409-square-foot facility at 720 City Center Drive to increase efficiency.
Merritt loses job as railroad exec, a role critics called conflict
As chairman of Senate Utilities Committee, Sen. James Merritt supported numerous bills favored by big utilities, the railroad’s biggest customer. Now he’s out of a job.