Plant shutdown date sparks fight between IPL, grid operator
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. says it might have to pay as much as $22 million in extra costs because of contract issues with the Midwest Independent System Operator.
Energy & Environment
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Vectren selling its coal-mining subsidiary for $296M
One of Indiana's largest natural-gas utilities is selling its coal-mining subsidiary to a southern Indiana-based coal-mining company, putting more than 800 coal miners' jobs at risk.
Concerns raised over possible rate hike for electric cars
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and Rep. Cherrish Pryor are both voicing concerns about a potential rate increase proposed by Indianapolis Power & Light that could help fund some of the start-up costs for the BlueIndy electric-car-sharing project.
Agency opposes hike for electric cars
David Stippler, whose job is to advocate for utility consumers, thinks Mayor Greg Ballard’s quest to have Indianapolis Power & Light customers pay the startup costs for an electric-car-sharing service sets a dangerous precedent.
Justices limit existing EPA global warming rules
The Supreme Court on Monday placed limits on the sole program already in place to deal with power plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming. The decision does not affect EPA proposals for first-time national standards for new and existing power plants.
State agency fights utility rates for electric cars
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. has requested a rate increase to help pay for its part in setting up charging stations for electric cars that drivers could rent as part of the BlueIndy program, a partnership between the city and the France-based Bollore Group.
Work to resume Thursday on fatal tunnel project
A utility company says construction will resume Thursday on a project to build a sewer tunnel 250 feet beneath Indianapolis where a worker was killed last week.
GOP governors: EPA carbon dioxide rules job killer
Republican governors from oil-and-gas rich states said Monday that new federal rules designed to cut emissions linked to global warming from power plants by 30 percent by 2030 will kill jobs and growth.
Worker on city’s deep-tunnel project killed
A Citizens Energy Group spokesman says an ambulance was called to the deep tunnel project on the city's southwest side about 3 a.m. Friday. It isn't clear yet what happened.
City recycling deal would boost incinerator’s profits
As IBJ was first to report on June 9, Mayor Greg Ballard is contemplating a new, 10-year contract with Covanta, which already is set to receive the city’s waste through 2018.
State parks see surge in business as weather heats up
Revenue from year-long passes was up about 8 percent this year through the end of May compared to the same time last year, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Housing developer hopes farm hooks new residents
A growing number of housing developers thinks farms, rather than golf clubs, are the perfect hook to lure residents. The first to experiment with the concept in central Indiana is Mike Higbee of Central Greens LLC, with his Seven Steeples Farm on the site of the old Central State Hospital.
EPA official: Carbon rules built on methods in use
The agency's strategy is built around four existing approaches, including energy-efficiency programs and adoption of renewable energy such as wind or solar power.
Utility watchdog: Ending efficiency program ‘short-sighted’
The leader of Citizens Action Coalition said Indiana lawmakers put the state at a disadvantage when they passed a bill killing an energy-efficiency program that could have helped the state meet the new federal carbon-emission goal by 2030.
Obama seeks to cut U.S. power plant carbon by 30 percent
The plan isn’t expected to make a meaningful difference in reducing climate change, but will give President Obama evidence of America leading by example as he tries to persuade other nations to cut their carbon emissions.
State approves rate hike for Citizens Thermal
Citizens Energy Group will raise rates for about 250 customers that use the utility’s steam and chilled water services.
Experts expect higher electric bills amid tighter pollution rules
The Energy Department predicts retail power prices will rise 4 percent on average this year, the biggest increase since 2008. By 2020, prices are expected to climb an additional 13 percent, a forecast that does not include the costs of coming environmental rules.
Beech Grove sues Franciscan, blames it for sewage backups
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Marion Superior Court, claims the flow of storm water into Beech Grove’s sanitation system has caused backups of raw sewage and storm water into the basements of homes surrounding the former hospital site.
Senators: Administration must support biodiesel
The Obama administration is considering changes that would significantly reduce the required amount of biodiesel in the United States. Industry groups, farm state lawmakers and others have called on the administration to reconsider.
IPL gets green light for Harding Street, Martinsville projects
State utility regulators on Wednesday gave Indianapolis Power & Light Co. the go-ahead to begin work on two high-profile power projects at a cost well over $600 million.