Murphy USA opens quick-charging stations for electric cars
Speed is thought to be an obstacle to the widespread adoption of plug-in vehicles.
Environment
Articles
State’s advanced battery initiative charging ahead
Following setbacks, industry leaders prepare to launch innovation center downstate
Indiana’s corn crop faces stress from heat, drought
An agricultural expert says Indiana's recent hot, dry weather is likely taking a toll on the state's young corn crop.
State, utility plan cleanup of long-closed gas plant
Indiana's environmental agency and Duke Energy Corp. are moving ahead with the cleanup of a long-closed manufactured-gas plant in Shelbyville.
Central Indiana wind-farm company seeking tax breaks
A company planning to build a wind farm spread across four central Indiana counties is asking officials in one of those counties for property tax breaks on a future phase of the project.
State’s chilly recycling climate means higher costs for container makers
Some manufacturers favor legislation that would encourage consumers to return their empties.
Utilities, public clash on tree-trimming policies
Indianapolis Power & Light, others say money is at stake if tighter controls are enforced.
Abound Solar chief declines to testify before House panel
The CEO of a company that once said it planned to create up to 1,200 jobs north of Indianapolis has declined to testify before a U.S. House panel investigating the federal clean-energy program.
IDEM files proposed permit for $2.65B gasification plant
Indiana Gasification contends the project in Rockport will create 500 permanent jobs. Opponents say the plant will harm regional air quality.
Bike trail push for Eagle Creek stirs controversy
Mountain bikers have salivated for years about building trails in the rolling hills of Eagle Creek Park, the city’s largest municipal park. But environmentalists worry the paths would cause erosion.
Plant upgrades might cost IPL nearly $1 billion
New federal mercury-reduction regulations may force Indianapolis Power & Light to spend nearly $1 billion to upgrade its coal-fired electric plants scattered around Indiana. Duke Energy is mulling everything from plant upgrades to shutting down older units.
Indianapolis expects savings from sweeping energy project
The city is guaranteed $7.5 million in savings over 15 years from a $18 million upgrade of city facilities, and the savings are expected to accumulate further.
New environmental board will need more expertise
Those who are concerned about public health and environmental protection should be disturbed by the elimination of the Air Pollution Control Board, the Water Pollution Control Board, and the Solid Waste Management Board and replacing them with a single Environmental Rules Board.
New Dow, Monsanto crop needs study, vegetable growers say
A coalition of vegetable growers, including one from Indiana that contains Red Gold Inc., wants U.S. regulators to study the potential damage facing their fields from a new generation of herbicide-tolerant crops.
Indiana farmers tempted to plant early by warm spring
Many farmers across Indiana have been weighing whether to take advantage of this spring's warm weather and plant their crops earlier than usual. Doing so, however, would put them at risk.
Lower crop reserves raising food costs in election year
U.S. corn stockpiles are poised to be the smallest in 16 years by August and soybean reserves will be lower than the government expected, potentially accelerating food-price inflation in an election year.
Merger of pollution boards worries enviros, chamber
A new state law that merges three longtime rule-making boards into a single panel is stoking concerns among business and environmental groups about what the shift could eventually mean for Indiana's environmental regulations.
Russian investor gives Ener1 fresh start
A Russian timber tycoon who poured millions into a battery maker with Hoosier roots is the new owner of Ener1 Inc. Boris Zingarevich supplied $50 million for Ener1’s March 30 exit from bankruptcy and is moving its headquarters from New York to Indianapolis—already home to its core subsidiary, EnerDel.
Investors still may clean up on some clean-tech bets
The spectacular flameouts of some startup firms underscores the risk of relying on infusions of federal money to keep a business viable.
Indiana fruit growers hope cold stays away after heat
Indiana fruit growers whose trees were lured into blooming weeks ahead of normal by a March heat wave surveyed their orchards Tuesday following a night of freezing or near-freezing temperatures that threatened the trees' tender blossoms.