Indiana

Fossil fuels

EPA proposals to keep Indiana coal going would threaten drinking water

Gutting Biden-era protections would help dirty plants run longer in the historically coal-centric state, despite big environmental risks.

By Kari Lydersen .

29 July 2026

Tower of power plant with cars in front and a cloudy blue sky — The Michigan City coal plant on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Michigan City, Indiana (Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Solar

Solar is booming in Indiana. Not everyone is happy about it.

The state was No. 3 in solar installations last year — but with more solar has come more local opposition. Experts say genuine community engagement is needed.

By Kari Lydersen . 23 July 2026
Green steel

A year after US Steel was sold, communities push for clean investment

Northwest Indiana residents say Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel could bring jobs and growth. But they’re still waiting on Nippon to deliver.

By Maria Gallucci . 29 June 2026
Fossil fuels

Indiana coal plant that Trump forced to stay open is not operating

The DOE says the Schahfer plant is key for reliability, but repairs mean it’ll be offline for much of 2026. The grid is set to be just fine without it this summer.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 June 2026
Fossil fuels

The Indiana community caught between coal and the data center boom

In rural Jasper County, two defining energy trends of the Trump era — reviving coal and building gas-powered data centers — are converging.

By Kari Lydersen . 14 May 2026
Green steel

Green steel is the way forward for Indiana, former steelworkers say

Advocates warn that what’s left of the industry could be lost if companies choose to invest in dirty blast furnaces instead of modernizing with cleaner steelmaking.

By Kari Lydersen . 2 April 2026
Clean aluminum

Sortera raises $45M for recycling tech as US demands low-carbon aluminum

The Indiana startup, which uses AI to extract high-value aluminum from scrap piles, just announced fresh funding and plans for a second plant in Tennessee.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 November 2025
Data centers

Critics decry company created to rush power to Indiana data centers

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. says the spinoff is needed to meet surging power demand. Others say it’s an excuse to bypass regulations that protect consumers.

By Kari Lydersen . 28 October 2025
Energy markets

Why states are threatening to leave PJM — and why they probably won’t

The grid operator’s high power prices and long interconnection queue have Democratic and Republican governors eyeing an exit, but analysts warn it could backfire.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 26 September 2025
Green steel

Nippon Steel to begin relining Indiana blast furnace next year

The owner of U.S. Steel confirmed plans to revamp the aging coal-fueled facility at its Gary Works complex. Community groups want a low-carbon steel mill instead.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Under Trump, Indiana and other states may decide their own coal ash rules

The EPA is encouraging state-level regulation of the toxic substance produced by coal plants. That could lock in lax standards for years to come, advocates warn.

By Kari Lydersen . 17 June 2025