Indiana DNR buys nearly 3,500 acres from utility
The purchased property will become the southern anchor for a conservation and recreation project aimed at permanently protecting more than 43,000 acres along the Wabash River and Sugar Creek.
Environment
Articles
Delaware County regroups after green factories fizzle
A central Indiana county is pulling back its financial support for a pair of green-energy companies who so far haven't delivered on plans for factories with hundreds of workers.
Corn crop could be ‘huge’ on warm weather, economist says
Corn production in the United States, the world’s biggest shipper of the grain, will be “huge” as warm weather encourages farmers to plant early to avoid the risk of late-season frost damage, economist Dennis Gartman said.
Indiana panel passes new water quality rules
An Indiana regulatory panel passed new rules Wednesday aimed at protecting the quality of the state's waterways. The new rules are aimed at lowering the levels of pollutants released into waterways by companies.
Purdue gets grant to develop cheaper solar cell
Purdue University researchers are working to increase the efficiency of a new solar cell that they say could become a significant player in energy production.
Foundations try to tap grain farmers’ wealth
The average price Indiana farmers received for a bushel of corn reached a high last August of $7.18, nearly twice as much as the prior year. That kind of windfall tends to benefit farm-equipment sales, but it could also lead to more charitable giving.
Honda looks to dealers to boost natural gas station network
Honda Motor Co. wants to double sales of its Indiana-made Civic Natural Gas sedans, but doing so
requires more fuel stations. The car maker wants some of its dealers to install pumps to sell the fuel.
Ener1 reorganizing; Bright Automotive folds
Both firms appeared a few years ago to be poised to hire thousands of workers. But they slid into a tailspin as anticipated funding failed to materialize and the market prospects for hybrid and electric engines dimmed.
CARTER: Community enthusiasm palpable with eco causes
Indianapolis is beginning to focus on environment, livability.
Greencastle plant key in Ford’s environmental movement
Supplier to begin producing door part made from kenaf, a plant similar to bamboo but related to cotton.
Alternative fuels gaining popularity
While some trucking firms are busily updating old trucks, others are delving into alternative fuels, which will help lower emissions.
Trucking firms shunning costly clean-burning engines
Trucking fleets, already buckling under higher costs for insurance and fuel, are finding ways around new rules that nearly eliminate nitrogen oxides and particulate matter but also sent prices of new trucks soaring.
Abound Solar halts production, cuts 180 jobs
A Colorado-based solar module maker that hoped to create up to 1,200 jobs in Indiana by next year said Tuesday that it was laying off about 180 workers in Colorado as the company focuses on a more efficient product.
Ball State begins final phase of ambitious geothermal project
Eventually, the system will heat and cool 5.5 million square feet of buildings and save $2 million a year in operating costs.
Airport spending millions to protect rare bats
The Indianapolis Airport Authority board has approved a $504,872, two-year contract with Indiana State University to study the federally endangered Myotis sodalis, which brings to $2.5 million what the airport has paid ISU since 2004 to track and observe the minuscule mammals.
CityWay designed to integrate retail, housing, hotel, YMCA
Architects were told to push the envelope and integrate. Be mindful of where you are in the city and integrate well.
Lawmakers back penalties over farm lawsuits
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 Wednesday in favor of the bill that would give judges discretion on whether to order the person filing a frivolous lawsuit to pay the farm’s court costs and attorney fees.
Warmer-than-usual winter could ruin state’s fruit crops
Early warm temperatures could be bad news for the state's profitable blueberry and apple crops, which bring in more than $13 million each year. It could also hurt Indiana's growing wine-grape industry.
Columbus manufacturer to begin solar panel production
Nusun Solar says an endorsement by Underwriter’s Laboratories should lead to mass production of its commercial and residential panels.
IDEM: I-69 construction affecting streams
The Indiana Department of Transportation and a contractor on the Interstate 69 project downstate have been cited for more than a dozen deficiencies in preventing erosion and the flow of sediment into streams.