Bill would give CO2 pipeline firms right to take private land
A consumer group opposing Senate Bill 115 argues the measure is yet another concession to the developer of a coal-to-methane
plant proposed in Rockport.
Regulation
Articles
With utilities under pressure, shareholders unite
The Indiana Utility Shareholders Association aims to be the “collective voice” of investors
in four of the big utilities operating in Indiana.
New IDEM official lacks environmental background
An Iraqi war veteran is drawing scrutiny from environmental advocates who question whether his work experience is appropriate
to his new job as a top state environmental adviser.
IDEM fills long-vacant chief-of-staff post, denies agency shakeup
IDEM’s head, faulted over his role in a pollution case while at Bethlehem Steel, gets a chief of staff. Officials deny agency shakeup on way.
Duke Energy seeks less for study related to Edwardsport plant
The utility that asked state regulators permission to have customers pay $121 million for a geological study now seeks $42
million.
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.
Upgrade money for former coke plant goes to community projects
Citizens Energy Group is redirecting to community groups more than $413,000 that it was to spend on environmental upgrade
projects at its former coke oven facility in Indianapolis, which closed in 2007.
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.
Carp, shipping and a lawsuit
A lawsuit aimed at stopping invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan could bring some forms of shipping to a grinding halt.
Indiana e-waste collectors, recyclers face deadline
Collectors and recyclers of obsolete electronics have until Jan. 1 to enroll with the state’s E-Waste Program.
Plant would pipe carbon dioxide to oil rigs
Carbon dioxide produced by a proposed coal gasification plant near the southern Indiana town of Rockport would be used to
help boost oil production in the Gulf of Mexico under a plan by the company leading the project.
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.
Coal-gasification plant price tag climbs to $2.5 billion
Duke Energy Corp. said the cost of the plant it’s building in southwestern Indiana has risen another $150 million.
Unions prod Obama to fix ailing airline industry
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is holding a forum Thursday to discuss the state of the airline industry, which is
mired in a severe economic slump and blamed for using a business model critics say undermines safety.
IURC conducts review of Centennial’s telecom service
Every neighborhood has its battles, but the 1,017-resident Centennial subdivision in Westfield is embroiled in one of the
most unusual: a very public fight over the adequacy of its phone, Internet and video service.
Related-party loans pile up at Durham-owned finance firm
Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham has treated Ohio-based Fair Finance Co. almost like a personal bank since buying it seven
years ago, and now he, his partners and related firms owe it more than $168 million, records show.
Consultant: Indianapolis water utility lax in overseeing Veolia
The city too often relied on the Department of Waterworks’ board, on consultants and on the private
operator, Veolia Water, rather than on the department’s own staff “to ensure safe and efficient
operation, maintenance and management” of Indianapolis Water. That’s one of several critical
findings of a consultant hired by the department and filed as part of a 35-percent rate-hike request
pending before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Local junkyard gets green recognition from state
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management says an Indianapolis junkyard is the first in the state to receive its recognition for environmentally friendly practices.