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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Group opposes city plan to pay water manager Veolia $29M
The city should refuse to pay the contract-termination fee given alleged defaults by Veolia, the consumer group says. Veolia is out after city sells the water company to Citizens Energy Group.
State reaches deal on coal-gasification plant
The state's finance authority said Thursday that it reached a 30-year deal to buy synthetic natural gas from a coal-gasification plant planned for southern Indiana, marking the first time the state has entered into such a venture.
Duke, others withdraw cost deal on Indiana project
Duke, the Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor and other groups will renegotiate the terms of a plan to boost rates to raise $530 million for Duke’s Edwardsport plant, the Charlotte, N.C.-based company
IURC clears ex-judge in Duke Energy ethics scandal
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s internal probe found no irregularities regarding former administrative law judge Scott Storms’ handling of Duke Energy cases, but it did reopen a case Storms handled in July involving storm damages.
Duke Energy exec resigns over IURC e-mails
A top executive of Duke Energy has resigned after details of his social relationship with the former chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission became public.
Touted Build America Bonds may not be available for utility deal
Citizens Energy previously said not using the bonds would add about $100 million to the cost of the deal over 30 years.
Indiana resists call for renewable energy mandates
The state is one of only 14 nationwide without a renewable energy standard, according to the Pew Center of Global Climate Change.
Duke Energy exploring other uses for electric-vehicle batteries
The utility, which has about 780,000 customers in Indiana, is teaming with Japanese firm Itochu Corp. to test applications for used electric vehicle batteries. The pilot project builds on Indiana’s clean-tech initiative, Energy Systems Network.
Labor costs being watched at Duke Energy plant
Cost pressures could eat away at $2.9 billion Edwardsport project’s contingency fund, leaving no room for unexpected costs during startup and testing, Duke told the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Indianapolis, U.S. reach deal on sewage overflows
The new plan includes an accelerated construction schedule for the city’s efforts to reduce sewage overflows from systems that carry both storm runoff and sanitary waste.
Duke fires Indiana chief, lawyer after ethics flap
Duke Energy Corp. has fired the president of its Indiana operations and a staff attorney following an ethics flap over its dealings with state utility regulators.
No ‘inappropriate communications,’ Duke Energy CEO says
Duke Energy Corp.’s top exec told the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission that he’s confident the IURC’s former top attorney had no influence on decisions regarding the utility’s Edwardsport plant, even though he sought a job with Duke while working for the regulatory body.
Hancock County utilities set to proceed with merger
Consolidation of Central Indiana Power and Hancock Telecom will become official on Jan. 1. It took a change in state law to allow the merger to proceed.
Need for Duke coal-gas plant on regulators’ agenda
Duke Energy Corp. says it needs a new coal-gasification power plant it’s building in southwest Indiana, but consumer advocates don’t believe it.
Scandal fallout plagues Duke Energy’s Edwardsport project
Regulatory proceedings involving the coal gasification plant are being delayed while investigations continue over conflicts of interest at the IURC.
Veolia losing water contract, will get $29M termination fee
Playing a limited role under Indianapolis Water's new owner, Citizens Energy, wouldn't be profitable, Veolia says. Citizens plans to make job offers to "substantially all" Veolia employees.
Watchdog groups ask U.S. attorney to probe utility case
Two private watchdog groups have asked the new U.S. attorney in Indianapolis to investigate an ethics flap that has embroiled the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Duke Energy.
IURC to re-examine Duke project amid ethics flap
The commission is summoning the CEO of North Carolina-based Duke Energy to justify the $2.9 billion Edwardsport plant on the same day the state ethics board filed formal charges against a former IURC attorney hired by Duke.
Heating bills should be cheaper this winter, utility says
Citizens Energy Group projects that the gas bill of its average residential customer will decline about 7 percent over the winter heating season. The utility said a customer who uses the typical amount of natural gas will spend $580, down from $620 last season.