Indiana ports see big jump in cargo shipments
The record amount of cargo was due in large part to increases in shipments of coal, soy products, grain and steel.
Energy & Environment
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Kinetrex Energy spending $4M to modernize plant, increase capacity
The Indianapolis-based company supplies natural gas that is chilled into liquid form for transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and utility customers.
Part of solar farm at Indianapolis International Airport sold in $24M deal
CleanCapital purchased about half of the massive solar farm at the Indianapolis International Airport as part of a portfolio that also included a site in Columbus, Ohio.
NineStar Connect closes $4M acquisition of local water utility
As part of the acquisition, NineStar Connect agreed to run high-speed fiber to each home and business in the Gem Water Utility territory.
Indiana’s neighbor preparing for growth spurt in hemp production
Hemp became a legitimate agricultural crop late last year when a provision in the federal farm bill removed the plant from the list of federally controlled substances. Kentucky is poised to take advantage of the legal change.
Tesla to cut more than 3,000 jobs on tight road to making affordable car
The maker of luxury electric vehicles plans to ax 7 percent of its workforce as it tries to lower prices and break out of the niche-car market.
Groups ask EPA to investigate contamination in Franklin
The groups say the EPA’s handling of the site formerly used by electronics manufacturer Amphenol involved “serious mismanagement.”
Farmers risk loss of federal payments, loans, from shutdown
Direct payments for farmers who haven't certified production, as well as farm loans and disaster assistance programs, won't start up again until the government reopens.
Cleanup set for 200,000 waste tires left at Indiana business
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management estimates cleaning up the reclamation site in Anderson could cost up to $262,000.
FDA casts shadow on hemp law, calling CBD products illegal
The hemp industry still has work ahead to win legal status for hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as an ingredient in food or dietary supplements despite the big farm bill signed this week designating hemp as an agricultural crop.
U.S. farmers see China’s return to soybean market as ‘drop in the bucket’
China’s return to the U.S. soybean market this week comes too little, too late for many farming families to put more Christmas presents under the tree this year.
Congress approves $400 billion for farmers, forests, poor
After months of debate and negotiation, Congress voted final approval Wednesday to a massive farm bill that will provide more than $400 billion for agriculture subsidies, conservation programs and food aid.
Christmas tree farmers combat popularity of artificial trees
Between 75 percent and 80 percent of Americans who have a Christmas tree now have an artificial one, and the $1 billion market for fake trees is growing at about 4 percent a year.
Indianapolis Power & Light searching for new CEO
Craig Jackson, who took over executive leadership of Indianapolis Power & Light in February as part of a corporate restructuring by parent AES Corp., plans to resign at the end of the month.
EPA proposes rolling back another Obama-era coal rule
The EPA’s acting administrator signed a proposal that would loosen rule that would have required cutting-edge carbon capture techniques for new coal plants. Andrew Wheeler said the requirements were “excessive burdens” on the industry.
U.S. farms taking wait-and-see stance on Trump’s trade truce
U.S. farmers are pleased that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce, but they’re not rejoicing just yet.
Brazilian ag-tech firm picks Indiana for U.S. HQ, plans 334 jobs
Solinftec said Thursday it would invest $50.6 million to establish operations in the Hoosier state. The company makes technology that helps farmers collect and analyze data to increase crop returns.
State programs aimed at cutting energy usage aren’t enough, critics say
Indiana, one of the largest per-capita energy consumers in the nation, ranks 40th among states for energy efficiency, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
EPA plan for truck emission standards wins initial praise from both sides
The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, which represents Indiana-based Cummins Inc. and other engine manufacturers, said the proposal represents a chance to modernize how the agency oversees big-rig emissions.
Two area power co-ops land federal loans to make upgrades
Two rural electric cooperatives that provide power to customers in the Indianapolis area are set to receive federal loans to improve their systems.