Electric-grid facility in Carmel suffers $11M in damages
In a filing earlier this month, the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Inc. told federal regulators that a mechanical failure in September contaminated the data center.
Energy & Environment
Articles
Abandoned gas stations both vex, brim with promise
The trick is to determine in advance just how expensive and lengthy that cleanup might be.
Utility exec: Coal-gas plant’s ‘time has passed’
A utility executive told a legislative committee Tuesday that a drop in natural gas prices as a result of the nation's shale-gas boom have made a proposed southern Indiana coal-gasification plant a project "whose time has passed."
Speedway buying Greenfield-based Gas America
Gas America, a family-owned chain founded nearly a century ago, has 88 locations, nearly all of which will be converted to the Speedway brand.
State Fair Commission breaks ground on ‘Glass Barn’
The $2.9 million building on the 250-acre fairgrounds campus will feature interactive exhibits focusing on new technologies used on modern farms.
Farmers plan biggest crops since 1984, led by corn
U.S. farmers will plant the most acres in a generation this year, led by the biggest corn crop since World War II, taking advantage of the highest agricultural prices in at least four decades.
Speedway oil re-refinery begins production
Illinois-based Heritage-Crystal Clean says its refinery here is the second largest in the U.S.
Indy battens down hatches for Super Bowl security
From pickpockets and prostitutes to dirty bombs and exploding manhole covers, authorities are bracing for whatever threat the first Super Bowl in downtown Indianapolis might bring.
Indiana moving slowly on lake phosphorus rules
A state effort to address phosphorous pollution that has fouled Indiana's waterways is moving forward slowly, but environmental groups' hopes for help from lawmakers is likely to be dashed this year.
Bill could put squeeze on recycling programs statewide
Waste management districts would need county OK to levy property taxes to fund their programs.
State power rates could increase 14 percent under new rules
An analysis prepared for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission predicts new federal clean air regulations will raise electricity rates in the state by about 14 percent by 2020 because of necessary upgrades to coal-fired power plants.
Poet LLC putting plan for ethanol pipeline on hold
The nation's largest ethanol company announced Friday that it is putting on hold its plan to build a dedicated 1,800-mile ethanol pipeline because of the lack of prospects for a federal loan guarantee.
Hoosier Environmental Council monitoring three bills in General Assembly
The state’s largest green group is seeking changes to measures it says could strip funding and oversight for environmental protection.
Indianapolis-area mergers and acquisitions in 2011
A number of acquisitions last year disclosed no sale price. In the Indianapolis area, those deals ranged from MacAllister Machinery’s purchase of a Caterpillar dealership in Michigan to Herff Jones’ acquisition of a Memphis, Tenn.-headquartered maker of cheerleading uniforms.
Indiana deals ranged upward of $800 million
Mergers and acquisitions in 2011 ranged from WellPoint’s acquisition of CareMore to a trucking company merger.
Price of Indiana farmland at a premium
A once-in-a-generation combination of strong grain prices, high farm incomes and unprecedented interest in commodities investments has caused prices for agricultural acreage to skyrocket.
ProLiance might go on block
Indianapolis-based ProLiance, a natural-gas marketer and supplier, was singed by a $57.2 million pretax loss in the first nine months of 2011, causing some analysts to wonder if majority owner Vectren Corp. will try to sell its 61-percent stake in the company.
Bill seeks elected utility consumer counselor
A legislator is proposing that Indiana’s utility consumer counselor be elected rather than appointed by the governor.
Ethanol makers shrug off expiration of key tax credit
It looks like motorists, not ethanol makers, stand to feel the pain of a federal tax credit that expired at the end of last year.
Seats from Bush Stadium to live on at bus stops
A local group has partnered with IndyGo to pay homage to one of the city’s great sports landmarks by installing Bush Stadium’s seats at bus stops all over the city.