Utility deregulation: Free-market savings or risky bet?
Two bills from Republican lawmakers could allow businesses, and potentially individual households, to get their electricity from a provider other than their local utility company.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Indianapolis finds energy-use benchmarking policy is a tall order
It’s been almost five years since the city joined sustainability-minded municipalities in passing an ordinance that requires owners of large buildings to report their annual utility use. Today, most building owners aren’t complying.
Update: Indiana’s Braun among governors seeking to solve AI-driven power questions
The mid-Atlantic grid operated by PJM encompasses all or parts of 13 states, including Indiana.
EPA says it will no longer consider health costs in pollution regulations
The change is part of the Trump EPA’s broader goal of slashing regulations, saying they are hindering economic growth.
Court says Trump admin illegally blocked billions in clean energy grants to Democratic states
The grants supported hundreds of clean energy projects in 16 states, including battery plants, hydrogen technology projects, upgrades to the electric grid and efforts to capture carbon dioxide emissions.
Proposal to eliminate sales tax on Indiana utility bills sees some bipartisan support
A Democratic representative and a Republican senator have each filed bills to do away with the state sales tax on utility bills. The measure could save the average ratepayer more than $150 a year, but would see the state miss out on hundreds of millions in tax revenue.
Trump’s plan to seize, revitalize Venezuela’s oil industry faces hurdles
President Donald Trump said he plans to ask American companies to take over Venezuela’s oil industry after capturing President Nicolás Maduro in a raid.
Lawmakers mull shift in how utility rates are set
As utility companies attempt to bring new power sources online to meet skyrocketing demand, Indiana legislators are considering using performance-based ratemaking to set utility rates.
2025 Year in Review: Nuclear company plans $4B energy park, HQ
First American Nuclear, a startup developing a fast-spectrum small modular reactor for nuclear energy, announced on Nov. 4 it is planning to invest more than
$4 billion to move its headquarters to Indiana and develop a nuclear plant and “energy park” in the state.
Trump’s return brought stiff headwinds for clean energy. So why are advocates optimistic in 2026?
Solar and storage accounted for 85% of the new power added to the grid in the first nine months of the Trump administration. Experts say that’s because demand is high and the technologies can be deployed quickly.
Citizens Energy ready to start work on Lebanon water project
Construction is set to begin early next year on a $560 million project to send millions of gallons of water each day to Lebanon to meet the demands of the state’s 9,000-acre LEAP Research and Innovation District.
Ratepayer advocates recommend energy bill ‘relief plan’
Indiana utility customer advocacy groups on Tuesday released a slate of ambitious reforms they say would promote affordability for struggling residential and small-business ratepayers.
NextEra raises bet on AI with Google, Meta and gas deals
The flurry of announcements underscores the energy industry’s intensifying focus on technology companies’ data centers.
Braun push to reduce utility rates could be blocked by mandates in laws
Gov. Mike Braun has made energy a centerpiece of his first year, but his focus isn’t only about generating more electricity to feed growing demand from economic development. He also wants to lower the price of power for business and residential consumers.
Five topics that could shape state lawmakers’ work in 2026
There are a slew of topics legislators plan to tackle in 2026, including rising energy costs, tax codes, child care and education, and possibly a new casino in one of Indiana’s urban centers.
Trump plans to weaken vehicle mileage rules in bid to reduce vehicle prices
The proposal would significantly reduce fuel economy requirements, which set rules on how far new vehicles need to travel on a gallon of gasoline, through the 2031 model year, according to sources.
Insurance companies sue Indy shopping center owner in dispute over environmental site cleanup
Travelers and St. Paul Fire and Marine filed a lawsuit against Washington Shoppes on Nov. 26 in Marion Superior Court.
IU Health prepares for huge increase in energy use with $4.3B hospital complex
The health care system’s plan to meet its energy needs includes working closely with its electricity provider, AES Indiana, building additional backup power systems and operating its own natural gas utility plant for heating and cooling.
ReElement Technologies aims to close mineral recycling gap
The company uses technology developed and patented by Purdue University to refine and purify rare earth metals and permanent magnets
Amazon data center tally tops 900 amid AI frenzy, documents show
Amazon’s cloud unit produced $33 billion in revenue in the third quarter and remains the company’s most-profitable division.