Gas prices hit their highest level this year as heat hampers refineries
The average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas in the United States reached $3.80 on Wednesday, 26 cents more than a month ago, according to data from AAA.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Sales of incandescent bulbs turned off for good under new U.S. rules
New federal rules governing the energy efficiency of lighting systems went into full effect Tuesday, effectively ending the sale and manufacture of bulbs that trace their origin to an 1880 Thomas Edison patent.
AES Indiana says state storm outage investigation not warranted
State and not-for-profit utility consumer advocates filed a joint petition on July 11 asking the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to investigate the utility’s “practices and procedures for storm outage restoration.”
Push to shape future of Indiana forests draws backlash
For decades, Hoosier activists have been fighting what they view as improper forest management plans by government agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, even as both agencies claim to be doing what is best for the state’s forests.
Biden looks to provide relief from extreme heat as record temperatures persist
President Joe Biden on Thursday plans to announce new steps to protect workers, improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible, the White House says.
Major automakers unite to build electric vehicle charging network they say will rival Tesla’s
Seven major automakers say they will share in a multi-billion dollar investment to build “high power” charging stations with 30,000 plugs in urban areas and along travel corridors.
Indiana lawmakers could further dilute state wetlands protections following SCOTUS decision
The Indiana Builders Association said the Supreme Court ruling provides builders and developers “more certainty in the federal permitting process,” and called the decision “a win for common-sense regulations and housing affordability.”
AES Indiana top exec leaving in latest departure from Indy-based utility
Kristina Lund’s departure means that AES Indiana, formerly known as Indianapolis Power & Light Co., will have gone through five presidents in the past eight years, with some of them lasting less than one year.
Air quality warnings return as Canada deploys troops for wildfires
Parts of the U.S. Northeast, Midwest and South, as well as the Great Plains, were forecast to reach air quality levels Monday that are unhealthy for vulnerable people, including Indianapolis.
Southern Indiana farm gets $15M grant to expand climate-smart production
Fischer Farms will use the funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand its own environmentally friendly initiatives and help other farmers adopt regenerative farming practices.
Consumer advocates seek probe into long AES power outages after storm
State and not-for-profit utility consumer advocates have asked state regulators to investigate the utlity after a recent storm left some customers without power for nearly a week.
Millions of homes, schools might have to eliminate lead dust under EPA plan
The new rules would almost completely prohibit lead in dust in older buildings. The only contamination allowed would be the lowest levels that current removal efforts can’t eliminate, the agency said.
EPA sets stricter limits on hydrofluorocarbons used in refrigerators, air conditioners
A rule announced Tuesday will impose a 40% overall reduction in HFCs starting next year, part of a global phaseout designed to slow climate change.
July 4 was earth’s hottest day on record
In the United States, 57 million people were exposed to dangerous heat on Tuesday.
Central U.S. getting worst of drought, stressing corn crops, lowering rivers
Experts say the drought in the central U.S. is the worst since at least 2012, and in some areas, is drawing comparisons to the 1988 drought that devastated corn, wheat and soybean crops.
AES Indiana seeking permission to raise electricity rates by 13%
Consumer groups said they were shocked by the amount that AES Indiana is seeking, especially coming after the utility got approval for seven straight years of rate increases to pay for upgrades to its local energy grid.
Haze of unhealthy air settles over the Great Lakes region
Drifting smoke from the ongoing wildfires across Canada has created curtains of haze and raised air quality concerns throughout the Great Lakes region and in parts of the central and eastern United States.
Threatened by shortages, electric car makers race for supplies of lithium for batteries
A shortfall in lithium would be an obstacle for government and industry plans to ramp up sales to tens of millions of electric vehicles a year. It is fueling political conflict over resources and complaints about the environmental cost of extracting them.
3M reaches $10.3B settlement over contamination of water systems
The deal would compensate water providers for pollution with per- and polyfluorinated substances, known collectively as PFAS—a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware.
EPA boosts use of biofuels, but holds steady for corn-based ethanol production
The plan represents a decline from a proposal announced last year and drew immediate criticism from the biofuels industry. Environmental groups also were disappointed, saying EPA’s continued push for ethanol and other biofuels will hamper U.S. climate efforts.