Scientists knew 2023’s heat would be historic—but not by this much
Last year shattered the previous global temperature record by almost two-tenths of a degree—the largest jump scientists have ever observed.
Energy & Environment
Articles
City’s carbon-credit plan is delayed but still a go
About a year ago, the City-County Council passed a resolution expressing support for a carbon credit program to finance green space preservation, but progress has been slow as the city struggled to find a cost-effective way to launch the plan.
Starbucks now letting customers use their own cups for most orders
The mega-chain announced Wednesday that it will allow customers to use their own personal vessels for nearly all drink orders in the United States and Canada as part of the company’s effort to reduce waste.
Electric vehicle models eligible for $7,500 tax credit cut to 13
Narrower criteria reduced the number of qualifying models to 13 from about two dozen, according to federal data. The new rules exclude from the tax credit vehicles that use battery components made by Chinese manufacturers.
Fishers surveying residents about trash collection preferences
Fishers is trying to learn if residents want the city to contract with a single trash-collection company or continue to let residents and homeowners’ associations choose who collects waste in their neighborhoods.
EV transition cools as demand slows, automakers trim production
U.S. sales of fully electric cars are still growing at a fast clip—they are up by more than 50 percent this year over 2022—but automakers say growth has slowed in recent months, prompting them to trim their production plans and pause some investments.
Supreme Court to hear challenge to EPA rule limiting downwind power plant pollution in 10 states
The rule is being challenged by three energy-producing states—Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia—as well as industry groups and individual businesses.
House backs GOP bill to block EPA rule on tailpipe pollution
The EPA says it is not imposing an EV mandate, but Republicans say the plan favors EVs and punishes gas engines, forcing Americans into cars and trucks they can’t afford.
IEDC sponsoring Bloomberg climate talk at COP28
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is one of seven sponsors of a two-day event happening against the backdrop of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
U.S. joins other nations in swearing off coal power to clean the climate
No date was given for when existing coal-powered plants would have to go, but other Biden regulatory actions and international commitments already in the works had meant no coal by 2035.
Cities must replace lead pipes within 10 years under new EPA plan
It is the strongest proposed overhaul of lead rules in more than three decades, and will cost billions of dollars.
Consumer Reports: EVs less reliable, on average, than conventional vehicles
The survey found that electric vehicles from the 2021 through 2023 model years encountered nearly 80% more problems than did vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines.
Car dealers press Biden to ease U.S. electric vehicle mandates
A group of 3,700 auto dealers is calling on the Biden administration to pull back on federal regulations that will mandate that two out of every three vehicles sold in the United States in 2032 will be battery electric.
AES Indiana reaches agreement to raise electricity rates 7.3%
The utility’s initial proposal provoked widespread objections, including from more than 40 customers who attended two field hearings.
Proposed pipeline stirs questions about who controls Indiana’s water
Consideration of a pipeline to pump massive amounts of water from Lafayette to the LEAP Innovation and Research District in Lebanon is revealing major gaps in Indiana’s water-rights laws, some stakeholders say.
Energy Department tries to boost battery industry with another $3.5B in funding
The Energy Department estimates demand for lithium batteries will increase up to 10 times by 2030.
First-of-a-kind nuclear project terminated in blow to Biden’s clean-energy agenda
Indiana lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that would allow electric utilities to build small modular reactors similar to the one called off by NuScale.
Republic Services to build plastics recycling operation on south side
Republic Services called the development the “nation’s first integrated plastics recycling facility,” designed to address increasing demand from consumers and packaging manufacturers for recycled plastic.
U.S. regulators to review car-tire chemical that kills salmon
The agency’s decision to grant the petition last week is the start of a long regulatory process that could see the chemical banned. Tire manufacturers are already looking for an alternative that still meets federal safety requirements.
Group forms in opposition to LEAP District water pipeline
The group, “Stop the Water Steal,” plans to lead a letter-writing campaign to local and state officials, urging them to stop the pipeline, slow its progress or minimize its impact on community water resources.