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.
Environment
Articles
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.
Obama climate rules unlikely to wait until after election
Within weeks, President Barack Obama's administration is set to unveil unprecedented emissions limits on power plants across the U.S., much to the dismay of many Democratic candidates who are running for election in energy-producing states.
Two Indiana wind-energy opponents win primary
Two candidates who oppose Tipton County's embrace of wind farm developments have won primary election contests in their bids for countywide seats.
Supreme Court upholds EPA rule on cross-state pollution
The 6-2 ruling was an important victory for the Obama administration in controlling emissions from power plants in 27 Midwestern and Appalachian states. Texas led 14 states, including Indiana, and industry groups in challenging the rule.
Indiana farmers make progress planting corn crop
The new report says that while many farmers took advantage of warmer, drier conditions in the past week to kick off their planting work, others held off because cool, wet weather is in the forecast for the next several days.
Plan approved for wind farm; Purdue to do research
Zoning officials have approved scaled-back plans for a northern Indiana wind farm where Purdue University researchers plan to study the impact of the towering turbines.
Study: Fuels from corn waste not better than gas
A $500,000 study paid for by the federal government and released Sunday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Climate Change concludes that biofuels made with corn residue release 7 percent more greenhouse gases compared with conventional gasoline.
Largest solar farm on Superfund site goes online
The nation's largest solar farm built on a federal Superfund site is now generating power in Indianapolis on property once tainted by a long-closed plant's wood-treating operations.
Environmental groups sue to stop Illiana Tollway
Chicago environmental groups filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop the proposed $1.3 billion Illiana Tollway linking northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, claiming the Illinois Department of Transportation doesn't have authority to develop it.
IPL wants rate hike to fund car-sharing charging stations
Mayor Greg Ballard’s hope of making Indianapolis the first U.S. city with an all-electric car- sharing service hinges on a rate hike to cover $16 million in costs to Indianapolis Power and Light.
Farmers off to slow start planting corn crop
As of Sunday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says, just 3 percent of the U.S. corn crop was sown, half the dismal pace of last year.
Citizens plans $114M in upgrades for water system
Among the planned projects are a new groundwater treatment plant near Morse Reservoir, a booster station to improve water pressure on the northwest side, and several large water main replacement projects.
Pence renews talks over $2.1B fertilizer plant
Indiana economic development officials have renewed talks with Pakistan-connected developers who want to build a major fertilizer plant in southwestern Indiana, one year after the state withdrew its support for the project over national security concerns.
Reservoir opponents warn of impact on rare wetland
Kevin Tungesvick, a local restoration ecologist, said the proposed $350 million Mounds Lake Reservoir would inundate the Mounds Fen State Nature Preserve, which features a wetland that formed following the last ice age.
Manufacturers help drive recycling bill to passage
A state lawmaker who co-authored legislation setting a goal for Indiana to eventually recycle at least half of its municipal waste says the state's resource-hungry manufacturing industry was a key to the bill's passage this year.