Merritt loses job as railroad exec, a role critics called conflict
As chairman of Senate Utilities Committee, Sen. James Merritt supported numerous bills favored by big utilities, the railroad’s biggest customer. Now he’s out of a job.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Officials hope rapid action contains Indiana turkey flu outbreak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has quarantined and destroyed hundreds of thousands of turkeys and chickens in Indiana in an effort to avoid a repeat of last year’s outbreak that cost the industry $3.3 billion.
Wind turbine takes bite out of school district’s power bill
Shenandoah Schools, northeast of Indianapolis, owed nothing on its December power bill thanks to the electricity a wind-driven turbine generated.
Duke Energy reports increase in billing scams
The utility says that customers are being threatened with having their power cut off unless a quick payment is made.
Duke plans 145-acre solar farm at Crane base
The project's plans call for 76,000 solar panels, with groundbreaking set for this spring so that power generation can start by the end of 2016.
UPDATE: Bird flu outbreak contained to 10 Indiana farms
Confirmation of new bird flu cases alarmed industry officials after the rapid spread of the H5N2 virus last year led to the deaths of about 48 million turkeys and chickens, and drove egg prices higher. Indiana's poultry industry brings in about $2.5 billion a year.
Edwardsport plant foes finally reach settlement with Duke
Duke Energy’s settlement with four consumer and environmental groups likely means an end to all serious opposition to the $3.3 billion plant, one of the most expensive projects in Indiana history, which has been mired for years in controversy.
BlueIndy car-sharing service surpasses 1,000 memberships
General Manager Scott Prince said adoption "has been stronger than we had hoped." Another 20 charging stations are set to open by the end of February.
Farm boom fizzles as crop surplus expands financial strain
While many growers remain profitable, the global commodity slump is increasing pressure on a Midwest economy that was largely shielded from the worst of the financial crisis by high crop prices and land values.
Ringleader in $90M fuel scam sentenced to 20 years
A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to running a massive scheme involving biofuels and tax credits out of a small town east of Indianapolis.
U.S regulator upholds complaint over Midwest power auction
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in a ruling that changes should be made to the Midwest Independent System Operator Inc.’s forward capacity auctions. Carmel-based MISO manages the electricity network for 15 U.S. states.
Indianapolis ends curb-side Christmas tree pickup
The city of Indianapolis tried curb-side pickup of Christmas trees last season, but it's going back to asking residents to resume dropping trees off at city parks.
Indiana firm trades in frankincense, myrrh
Northwest Indiana Trading Co., based in LaPorte County, provides exotic resins and other substances to religious practitioners across the globe.
Climate pact means emissions need to drop below zero
The strict standards of the Dec. 12 Paris agreement leave some observers wondering whether politicians understand the implications of the goals they signed up for.
Expert predicts drop in Indiana farmland values
A Purdue economist says values will drop 5 to 12 percent in 2016 after nearly tripling from 2003 to 2014.
Renewable-energy firm to invest $180M in new facility
The operation, which is expected to employ 136 in Steuben County by 2019, will convert scrap plastic into ultra-low sulfur diesel and gasoline blendstocks.
State awards $135K in federal funds for tree programs
Recipients for tree inventory and analysis included Elkhart, $20,000; Kendallville, $17,425; West Lafayette, $18,562; and Pendleton, $11,575.
Duke Energy battles to fend off cyberattacks
The country’s largest electricity company is on alert for attacks that aim to hamper the critical flow of power and is listening to U.S. intelligence agencies about potential threats.
Dow’s merger plans with DuPont might hit antitrust roadblock
The proposed merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. would create the world’s largest agricultural-products company. But that’s bad news for farmers, according to some farm groups and antitrust experts.
Purdue ag, research foundation create $2M crop startup fund
Purdue University has created a $2 million fund that will help launch startup companies working to commercialize crop-boosting innovations developed by Purdue researchers.