Utility commission job sits open as cases stack up
A seat on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has been open more than two months, despite a requirement that three candidate names be submitted to the governor within 40 days of the vacancy.
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UPDATE: Indianapolis to turn on first new streetlight in 35 years
The city plans to end a moratorium on new streetlights by installing 100 lights in areas with high accident and crime rates, and in growing neighborhoods, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday.
Study: Mounds Greenway would bring $13M in annual benefits
An environmental group that’s fought a proposed central Indiana reservoir says a study it commissioned shows its rival idea would bring tourism, environmental, transportation and public health benefits.
‘Zero-waste’ Natatorium aims to make big splash
IUPUI and Natatorium officials have embarked on an ambitious initiative to assure that at least 90 percent of the waste generated at the newly renovated building is either recycled or composted.
IPL promotes Sanchez to fill vacant president’s job
Rafael Sanchez, who joined IPL five months ago as senior vice president of strategic planning, has been promoted to the top job, the utility announced Wednesday.
Chemical companies facing tougher EPA oversight
Congress is working to send President Barack Obama the biggest overhaul of rules governing chemicals in four decades, a change sought by an industry that has faced a hodgepodge of retailer bans, consumer boycotts and state regulations.
Bartholomew County board blocks 100,000-panel solar farm
The Bartholomew County board voted unanimously to deny a petition by Vogel Solar LLC of Santa Monica, California, to erect 100,000 solar panels on 156 acres in the northeastern part of the county.
Germany’s Bayer makes $62 billion offer for Monsanto
The news is the latest example of a huge shakeup in the agricultural industry.
Weeks of rain hamper Indiana’s corn, soybean planting
Agricultural experts say rainy, cool weather has left Indiana’s farmers well behind in the spring rush to plant their corn and soybean crops.
Bayer takeover of Monsanto would further shake up ag industry
The sector is undergoing a wave of consolidation, driven in part by falling crop prices, which have reduced farmers' spending on genetically enhanced seeds. Locally based Dow AgroSciences is merging with DuPont’s ag unit, and ChemChina is buying Syngenta.
Coal mine woes may mean environmental bills for taxpayers
As more coal companies file for bankruptcy, it's increasingly likely that taxpayers will be stuck with the very high costs of preventing abandoned mines from becoming environmental disasters.
Fertilizer firm plans $450M coal-gasification plant conversion
A Connecticut-based company is planning to convert a closed coal-gasification plant in Indiana into an ammonia fertilizer production facility.
Electric cooperative planning more Indiana solar farms
The latest of 10 solar farms that Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative is developing is planned for 10 acres along Indiana 135 near the Johnson County town of Trafalgar.
U.S. industrial output jumps by most since November 2014
Industrial output—which includes factories, mines and utilities—rose 0.7 percent from March. It had dropped the previous two months.
National FFA Organization names new chief executive
Mark Poeschl, of Brookville, Ohio, will take over leadership of the Indianapolis-based National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation on Aug. 1, succeeding Dwight Armstrong, who is retiring after leading the organizations for seven years.
Compendium Software alumni to launch water-testing startup
Megan Glover and Compendium Software founder Chris Baggott have teamed to launch 120WaterAudit, a subscription-based water-testing service that will be offered to residents across the country.
Egg prices near 5-year low as farms recover from bird-flu crisis
The cost of making everything from quiches to cakes is less than before avian influenza killed more than 35 million laying hens and the government spent $1 billion to prevent the disease from spreading.
Report: Indiana’s coal-power use falls 37 percent since 2007
A new federal report says Indiana’s consumption of coal for electricity plunged between 2007 and 2015 as utilities retired older coal-fired plants and embraced more natural gas and renewable energy sources.
Whiteland farmer chosen for Indy 500 Milk Man tradition
Indiana has more than 1,000 dairy farms, and the Milk Man tradition is designed to spotlight the state's dairy industry.
Feud pits Highland Country Club against neighbors
Homeowners who live just south of the golf club’s southern border fret about the future of the White River bluffs if Highland proceeds with controversial plans to sell 20 acres for residential development.