Companies plan $100M recycling center in Indiana, 256 jobs
Construction at the site, which will include a recycling center and a plastics-to-diesel facility, is expected to begin in 2017.
Environment
Articles
Indiana utility watchdog Stippler set to retire
David Stippler, Indiana’s official advocate for utility customers, who often pushes back against utilities that want to raise rates, plans to retire Jan. 1 after 11 years in office.
EPA proposes expanded use of Dow Agro-made herbicide
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed more than doubling the number of states allowed to use a new version of a popular weed killer on genetically modified crops despite its earlier concerns.
Animal group shutting its doors next month, placing critters in new homes
The area not-for-profit organization says its bookings for educational programs have slowed considerably this year, and it’s closing down rather than operate at a loss.
Dow-DuPont’s modified corn fails to control pest, scientists say
Corn containing the Herculex trait isn’t controlling the western bean cutworm, six entomologists from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania wrote in an " open letter to the seed industry" posted on the website of Purdue University.
Indiana wind turbines slow down to protect bats during migration
A study from academic journal Bioscience said 600,000 to 900,000 bats are killed by wind turbines each year in the United States.
Indiana hunting measure pits animal versus gun rights
The measure pits two aggressive lobbies against each other: animal rights activists and the National Rifle Association.
Holcomb, Gregg disagree about how to manage state forests
Democrat gubernatorial candidate John Gregg says there’s too much logging going on in Indiana state forests, while Republican opponent Eric Holcomb defends the state’s practices.
Ag giants’ smaller rivals see big opportunity amid mergers
Farmers may be worried about the multibillion-dollar deals transforming the agriculture industry, but independent seed companies like Indiana-based Beck’s Hybrids see the consolidation as an opportunity.
Hancock County, 4-H leaders at odds over $18M fairgrounds
County officials and the local 4-H group disagree over who should control a proposed $18 million project for a new county fairgrounds.
Both Gregg, Holcomb favor ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy
Based on their records and campaign promises, neither of the major party candidates for governor seem likely to radically reshape Indiana’s energy policies.
VA to unveil design of controversial cemetery project
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans to reveal renderings on Thursday for a national cemetery on the city’s north side that has spurred opposition from environmental groups.
U.S. appeals court hears arguments in Clean Power Plan case
Lawyers for a coalition of states and businesses reliant on fossil fuels, including Indiana, made their case Tuesday to a federal appeals court that President Barack Obama’s plan to curtail greenhouse gases is an unlawful power grab.
State seeking input on IPL’s $100M plan to upgrade Petersburg plant
The utility says the move would allow it to keep burning coal at the Pike County plant and meet strict environmental regulations for sulfur dioxide and coal ash.
Hamilton County school district switches to solar power
Sheridan Community Schools, a small district of about 1,000 students, expects to save millions of dollars in power costs over 20 years with the move.
Scarce cash in land of plenty: Farmers adjust to downturn
It’ll be the third consecutive year in which most corn farmers will spend more than they’ll earn. A glut of corn has depressed prices to a decade-low. It’s a similar story for soybeans, the second most common Midwest crop.
Former GM factory site in Indiana to get $4 million cleanup
The work will concentrate on a 1-acre Anderson site where officials say tests have found the carcinogenic solvent trichloroethylene, or TCE.
Federal judge OKs $454M Vertellus Specialties acquisition plan
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Indianapolis-based chemical company Vertellus Specialties Inc. on Thursday after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency withdrew its objection to the sale.
Indianapolis site added to EPA’s Superfund list
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday added an 18-acre contaminated groundwater site on the west side of Indianapolis to the National Priorities List of Superfund sites. The site has the potential to contaminate water for thousands of residents.
EPA objects to Vertellus Specialties acquisition plan
Indianapolis-based Vertellus Specialties Inc. is at odds with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over whether a proposed $454 million sale of the chemical company will provide adequate resources to address environmental cleanup needs.