State’s big polluters spewed less last year
EPA data show an 18 percent decrease in toxic emissions among big manufacturers and electric utilities, but it’s unclear to what degree better practices—or the slow economy—had on declining levels.
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Toxic chemical releases decrease 18 percent in Indiana
The 2009 Toxics Release Inventory released Thursday shows releases of toxic chemicals to the environment by companies in Indiana decreased by 20.6 million pounds, or 18 percent.
PCBs a concern at bankrupt ESI Environmental plant
The EPA says 300,000 gallons of sludge at the firm’s northwest-side site are suspected of containing carcinogenic PCBs. A recent court ruling could expedite clean-up efforts.
Duke Energy wins verdict reversal in clean-air case
The renovations complied with Indiana’s plan for implementing the federal Clean Air Act, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago said in Tuesday’s ruling.
Feds charge 3rd man with Clean Water violations
Joseph Biggio, who was executive vice president of operations at Ecological Systems Inc. from 2001 through 2007, was charged Thursday with two counts of violating the Clean Water Act and one count of making false statements.
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.
Proposed air pollution rule could cost utilities
Indiana’s utilities are scrambling to assess the cost of tighter air pollution limits proposed this month by the Environmental Protection Agency that could drive up electric rates.
Indiana contractors scramble for certification to remove lead
New U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules force precautions on paint chips, dust.
Study: Indiana shows long-term decrease in air toxics
IDEM says in its newly released “ToxWatch” report that the level of air toxics over the last decade has “decreased
to within levels acceptable to the U.S. EPA.
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.
Steel company reaches settlement with EPA
Alro Steel Corp., which has plants in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, paid a $120,000 fine over hazardous chemical reporting
violations.
Duke: New coal plant’s cost rises to $2.9B
Duke Energy says the cost of the coal-gasification power plant it’s building in southwestern Indiana has risen by $530 million.
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.
Renewable power focus of utility reform in 2010 Legislature
The Hoosier Environmental Council and Citizens Action Coalition see an expansion of the state’s
“net metering” policy as achievable during the short legislative session that starts Jan.
5.
Duke reaches deal over pollution violations at Indiana plant
Duke Energy has agreed to spend $93 million to settle clean air violations at a southern Indiana power plant where it made
unauthorized changes that significantly boosted the plant’s air pollution.
Duke Energy wants ratepayers to fund carbon dioxide storage site study
The state’s utility consumer agency is opposing Duke Energy’s request to have customers pay $121 million to
study where to inject underground the carbon dioxide to be produced by its Edwardsport plant.
EPA: IPL electric plant upgrades were deficient
Indianapolis Power & Light faces potential fines and capital expenditures after allegedly updating three generating
plants over 23 years without adding the most modern pollution controls.
Advisory panel urges EPA to back plan to pay for green projects via property tax
By issuing “voluntary environmental improvement bonds,”, local and state governments could
create special taxing districts that finance homeowner purchases of everything from solar panels to rain
gardens.
EPA: Indiana must rewrite BP refinery air permit
Federal officials ordered Indiana on Monday to rewrite an air permit for BP PLC’s Whiting refinery, concluding the state may
not have fully assessed all the new emissions a big expansion of the refinery will produce.
EPA proposes $1.1M settlement with Vertellus
Chemical-maker Vertellus Specialties Inc. will spend up to $1.1 million and change air-emission monitoring practices at its
plant on the southwest side of Indianapolis under a proposed settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.