Panel postpones action on bill to limit local livestock rules
Senate Bill 249, if passed into law, would ban communities from adopting an ordinance preventing the construction of livestock facilities.
Energy & Environment
Articles
IPL’s pitch: Tie less of bill to energy usage
No matter how little energy customers use, Indianapolis Power & Light would be guaranteed more revenue under a recent proposal to raise rates and fees.
Pence proposes utilities set own energy-efficiency goals
Last year, a new law scuttled Indiana’s program for reducing energy use statewide. Gov. Mike Pence’s alternative would allow energy companies to set their own targets.
Fracking boom, gas-pipe replacement drive growth for pipeline firm
Miller Pipeline has seen its head count grow from 1,700 to 3,600 since 2008, partly because of its investment in the shale-oil fracking boom. But it also has a lucrative fallback line of business: replacing aging natural-gas pipes.
Company not backing down on quarry near Lafayette
A company is pushing ahead with plans for a limestone quarry along the Wabash River near Lafayette despite a new county ordinance meant to block the project.
Reservoir or riverside trail system: Which is best for Madison County?
Economic development officials are advancing a plan to dam the White River in Anderson and create a seven-mile lake, but environmental groups are pushing the idea of a riverside trail as an alternative with equal promise but less expense and environmental destruction.
Canadian investor to pay $593M for stake in IPL
The parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light Co. plans to use the investment to help fund $1.4 billion in capacity improvements and environmental upgrades for IPL.
Wind farm companies make $650 million deal
German utility company E.ON has sold most of its minority ownership stake in a 126-turbine central Indiana wind farm to majority owner Enbridge Inc.
Local recycling companies land grants, plan jobs
Indiana is awarding $600,000 to four companies, including two in Marion County, that recycle metals, wood and other materials.
Indiana high court deciding where to hold hog farm fight
The Indiana Supreme Court has been tasked with deciding which county court will hear a lawsuit filed by the Camp Tecumseh youth camp that seeks to stop a farmer from raising more than 9,000 hogs on nearby land.
State’s Christmas tree growers celebrate strong season
After a crippling drought that was felt for several years, local growers are crowing about their first good season in recent memory.
EnerDel regroups after missing job targets
EnerDel Inc. is regrouping under a strategy of targeting niche markets, as Indianapolis and Hancock County officials press executives about the firm’s future and former pledges of local investment and job creation that failed to pan out.
U.S. Supreme Court to review EPA power-plant standards
The U.S. Supreme Court is stepping into a new case about Obama administration environmental rules, agreeing to review a ruling that upholds emission standards for mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
Obama administration to propose stricter smog standard
The stricter standards could make it one of the most expensive regulations ever issued, with an estimated $19 billion to $90 billion price tag and double the number of counties in violation.
Indiana American water rates to rise slightly under settlement
Indiana American Water customers will see an increase in rates next year under an agreement the company reached with consumer advocates. But the hike won’t be as high as the company requested.
Consumer office opposes Duke Energy’s $1.9B Indiana plan
Indiana's utility customer advocate says regulators should reject Duke Energy Corp.'s proposal for a $1.9 billion electric grid upgrade in the state.
HALE, NEGELE: Bring more transparency to Indiana energy bidding
As legislators on committees dealing with energy and utilities, economic development, agriculture and state finances, we are hearing from a growing number of businesses, big and small, as well as schools and individual constituents, sounding an alarm over rising electricity rates.
Non-industrial users have little clout on electricity prices
Manufacturers and other big users band together to lobby, but the vast majority of businesses have no collective ability to drive down their electricity costs.
Endangered bats could threaten Indiana lake plan
A wildlife biologist says the presence of endangered bats in the area of a proposed reservoir on the White River in central Indiana could bring the project to a halt.
Refinery co-owned by Calumet to start producing next month
Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners and Bismarck-based MDU Resources Group Inc. are building the $350 million Dakota Prairie Refinery, the first greenfield refinery built in the U.S. since 1976.