Biden set to put moratorium on oil drilling on public lands
Oil and gas extracted from public lands and waters account for about a quarter of annual U.S. production.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Biden’s climate steps could have big impact on energy firms
Many experts agree that Biden’s actions could help the nation achieve ambitious climate goals and enhance the renewable energy sector. Others say they worry more that stricter regulations could hurt companies struggling to recover from the pandemic
Keystone XL pipeline halted as Biden revokes permit
Keystone XL President Richard Prior said over 1,000 jobs, the majority unionized, will be eliminated. The premier of the oil-rich Canadian province of Alberta called the decision an “insult” and said the Canadian government should impose trade sanctions.
Federal court strikes down major Trump climate rollback
The decision is likely to give the incoming Biden administration a freer hand to regulate emissions from power plants, one of the major sources of fossil fuel emissions.
Canada urges Biden not to cancel oil pipeline on first day
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said Monday he will seek legal damages if reports are true that Joe Biden plans to scrap the pipeline upon taking office.
Indianapolis law professor picked by Biden as EPA deputy
A veteran of the Obama administration, Janet McCabe is a professor of practice at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and director of the IU Environmental Resilience Institute.
Industrial-solar-farm boom hits Hoosier backlash
Thousands of acres of farmland are being developed or eyed for massive solar farms that would install hundreds of thousands of solar panels as far as the eye can see. And not everyone is pleased.
Federal stimulus deal includes provisions to fight climate change
Congress has moved to phase out a class of potent planet-warming chemicals and provide billions of dollars for renewable energy and efforts to suck carbon from the atmosphere.
Dozen Indiana communities score $8M in grants for water projects
Recipients of the federal grants including Beech Grove, Lapel, Thorntown and Edinburgh in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Environmental work almost completed on former stamping plant property
Officials said remediation efforts are in their final stages, with final certification expected in the next few weeks. Elanco Animal Health Inc. plans to build a $100 million headquarters on the site.
EPA rejects tougher air pollutant standards on soot
In its decision, the Environmental Protection Agency maintained that the Obama-era levels, set in 2012, are adequately protective of human health.
Automakers prepare for tougher mileage standards under Biden
Less-strict Trump fuel-economy regulations were supported by most auto makers, many of which were having trouble meeting escalating efficiency standards set when Barack Obama was president. Now, they recognize that change is coming.
After years of decline, coal industry pushes back
Coal is rebranding itself from a dirty, low-tech fuel into a reliable source of energy. And it might have powerful friends in the Indiana General Assembly in that effort.
Carmel startup harnesses sun to help schools
Sun FundED specializes in providing what amounts to turnkey services for school systems that want to install solar-power systems, but lack either the funds or the know-how to handle it themselves.
Cummins investing in hydrogen power, although path to profitability uncertain
The Columbus-based manufacturer is bullish on hydrogen’s possibilities to power everything from buses, trains and trucks to industrial equipment.
GM: New batteries cut electric car costs, increase range
General Motors says a pending breakthrough in battery chemistry will cut the price of its electric vehicles so they equal those powered by gasoline within five years.
Indiana panel passes energy report some say could lead to coal bailout
The 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force, which was set up to guide lawmakers in crafting a long-term energy plan, voted 11-4 on a series of findings and non-binding recommendations.
Groups say energy recommendations could slow Indiana’s transition away from coal
A state energy task force is considering a sweeping array of measures that seem to favor existing large-scale utilities, many of which still burn coal, over providers of renewable energy.
Court orders FDA to assess environmental impact of modified salmon
The ruling centers on AquaBounty’s salmon, which are genetically modified to grow faster than normal salmon. After clearing other regulatory hurdles. AquaBounty began growing the fish in indoor tanks at an Indiana plant last year.
Indianapolis Power & Light names new CEO, its fifth since 2015
Kristina Lund takes over as the utility is embarking on an ambitious plan to upgrade its grid, with $1.2 billion in investments designed to prevent outages and other service interruptions.