Rebecca Thiele

The Monon South Trail will be more than 60 miles long going from just north of Mitchell down to New Albany.

Those in favor of House Bill 1008 believe these institutions are discriminating against Indiana businesses like coal companies and firearm makers — putting politics before their financial obligations.

Environmental groups say the bill narrows the definition of Class 3 wetlands — which means even fewer wetlands would get protection.

It now goes back to the state House to consider changes made to the bill.

Of the five major Indiana electric utilities, more than 19,000 households had bills that were past due in December and were eligible for assistance. More than 54,000 Hoosier households were on payment plans.

The Indiana Senate Environmental Affairs Committee adjourned without voting on a bill on Monday that would have created a climate solutions task force.

The bill cuts the amount of power utilities can buy from the grid during peak demand in half. That means they’d have to show they can generate about 85 percent of their energy themselves or from contracts with other companies.

New state science standards that require more climate education will go into full effect by next school year.