Purdue professor says ethanol consumption has its limits
Current infrastructure for delivering the alternative fuel isn’t adequate to use all that the federal government says must be produced.
Environmental Policy
Articles
New law prohibits disposing of electronic gadgets in household trash
Marion County residents should dispose of electronics at so-called “ToxDrop” locations.
City looking for consultants to ramp up green programs
The Office of Sustainability in November put out two requests for consultants or teams to implement environmentally friendly initiatives.
Ethanol’s future clouded by potential loss of tax breaks
The fortunes of Indiana’s 12 ethanol plants, and the farmers and truckers who supply the corn to make the motor fuel additive, hinge on two decisions facing Congress and federal regulators in the weeks ahead.
Indianapolis wins state “Green Community of the Year” award
Mayor Greg Ballard has unveiled a number of green initiatives, ranging from widespread use of hybrid vehicles to making the City-County Building more energy-efficient.
Farmers fear possible tougher dust rules from EPA
Farming groups have urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to retain its current standards for dust, soot and other microscopic particles, arguing that tighter restrictions would be unworkable.
New outlook for a decrepit city neighborhood
Just a few minutes northeast of vibrant Monument Circle lurks the most notorious graveyard of Indianapolis’ industrial heyday—at least 70 of the city’s 500 brownfields. Now planners and developers aspire to revitalize the most contaminated neighborhood in Indianapolis into a success story.
New enforcement rules worry environmental activists
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s top attorney asked agency staff to change how they cite companies for
violating the state’s water pollution law.
Indiana working on phosphorous limits for lakes
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management says the rule would impact sewage treatment plants upstream of lakes.
Ohio plant eyes Indiana to avoid environmental rule
Ohio’s governor has asked state environmental regulators to come up with a way to save 214 jobs at a northwest Ohio plant
that is considering a move to Indiana.
Lugar’s energy bill winning support
Lugar’s bill may be able to muster the 60 votes needed for Senate passage because it wouldn’t cap emissions or expand offshore
drilling, two controversial issues in the Senate.
Indiana has millions to pass out for renewable energy projects
The federal money is for renewable energy systems, energy-efficiency improvements, energy audits and renewable-energy feasibility
studies.
Activists say Indiana lagging in protecting environment
Indiana's air, land and water are significantly cleaner than they were at the start of the environmental movement
40 years ago, but the state still has work to catch up with other states, according to activists.
Indianapolis gets $10 million for clean energy
The grant announced Wednesday is part of $452 million in stimulus funding nationwide for projects meant to make buildings
more energy efficient.
City-County Building ‘greening’ project to cost $8 million
City expects environmentally friendly overhaul of downtown headquarters to provide net savings of $250,000 per year.
Ethanol doubles its efforts in effort to keep subsidies
For years, ethanol fuel derived from corn was almost politically untouchable, thanks to powerful advocates on Capitol Hill.
The ethanol industry has consequently exploded over the last decade, thanks to government subsidies and incentives. But skepticism
about ethanol is rising, prompted by fluctuating food prices and an organized campaign by anti-ethanol advocates to discredit
the industry.
Indiana producing more wind power, but using little of it
Indiana saw a 700-percent increase in total wind-generated power in 2009, an increase second only to Utah, according to the
U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report.
PANEL: Progress is being made on environmental issues in state
Experts
say Indianapolis is moving forward on recycling, that environmental research is discovering promising technologies, and that
manufacturers are finding new things to make. Local cognoscenti from the green community testify to these developments in
five included videos.
Timber industry seeks respect, profit from ‘green’ standards
Why should bamboo imported from Asia or steel made through intensive use of energy be consider greener than locally grown
trees? timber interests ask.
Foes keep up 31-year fight over central Indiana landfill
A developer who has been trying for 31 years to build a central Indiana landfill says he’s ready to start construction after
receiving a state permit.