Judge rules against residents in suit over hog smell
A judge has ruled state law protects four large hog farms from lawsuits filed by residents of an eastern Indiana county who complained about waste and foul smells from their operations.
Environment
Articles
Councilors to IPL: Eliminate coal in county by 2020
Two City-County Council members want Indianapolis Power & Light Co. to stop burning coal in Marion County by 2020 and shift more attention to renewable energy.
Indiana county planning to start aquaculture park
A central Indiana county is working on plans for a 60-acre aquaculture park in hopes of attracting more business connected with fish production.
Agriculture industry seeks to create right to farm
In the nation's agricultural heartland, farming is more than a multibillion-dollar industry that feeds the world. It could be on track to become a right, written into law alongside the freedom of speech and religion.
Hoosier Environmental Council opposes dam on White River
The Hoosier Environmental Council has added its name to the list of environmental groups opposing a proposed seven-mile long reservoir along the White River in central Indiana.
Developer pulls plug on $300M Tipton wind farm
A Colorado-based developer said the project is no longer feasible because of conditions that a zoning board placed on the 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.
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.
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.
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.
EPA: Indiana must cut carbon emissions 20 percent
Indiana has three years to come up with a plan to achieve the reductions, which were announced Monday by the EPA. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce called the requirements "potentially devastating."
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.
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.
Lilly to appeal $450M ruling over poisoned workers in Brazil
Brazilian federal prosecutors had accused a Lilly subsidiary of incinerating toxic waste at the plant that it operated until 2003.
Electric-car charging station to open by May 19
A kiosk and charging stations for Bollore Group’s car-sharing service were installed this month at 14 E. Washington St., in time for the Electric Drive Transportation Association’s annual conference that begins May 19.