Sustainability, economic development thrive in Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake is both the literal and figurative center of our community. While this presents several unique challenges for planners, it also presents exciting opportunities for a community to thrive at the intersection of sustainability and economic development.

Portage to roll out new trash, recycling system

PORTAGE | Delivery of the new 96-gallon trash and recycling toters is scheduled to begin this week.

EDITORIAL: Rotting garbage generating electricity

Closing a landfill is not as simple as covering the garbage with dirt, planting grass, locking the gate and walking away.

Friendly flushing: Water-efficient toilets help make sustainable homes

Commode, can, the Oval Office, and the Super Bowl. Throne, pot, loo, John. The royal flush.

Steel projects helping boost region's environmental profile

HAMMOND | Kevin Doyle said he began having discussions within ArcelorMittal seven years ago about steps that could be taken to have no process wastewater discharges from facilities into the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal or Lake Michigan.

EDITORIAL: Recycle deposit requirement for containers

What's a good way to recycle more containers? Recycle an old idea.

KATHY LUTHER: Valpo turning green at conference today, tomorrow

Many people recycle, and that is a great green thing to do. Some conserve energy by turning down the thermostats, changing light bulbs and replacing windows when they can. These are great steps individuals can take toward a green future. But there is a lot more we can do together in our citi…

Valpo to host 2-day conference on building sustainable towns

The city of Valparaiso and several organizations are hosting a conference Sept. 27 and 28 to discuss ways to implement more "green" practices in communities and also make them healthier and more prosperous.

PNC campus shop bag policy reduces carbon footprint

WESTVILLE | Purdue University North Central Campus Shop, operated by Follett Higher Education Group, is instituting a new no-bag initiative aimed at reducing waste to support socially responsible business practices.

Young stars are emerging in an environmental movement around the lake

These aren't your mama's or your grandma's activists.

Celebrated Chicago designers debut eco-chic wine tray

When the Chicago design duo Bruce and Stephanie Tharp were selected to create a piece for Newton Vineyard's 2012 Eco-Chic project, the husband and wife pair quickly flew to the Napa Valley winery.

Church plans on turning vacant lot to community garden

PORTAGE | Real Life Community Church's request to turn a vacant lot into a community garden opened up a can of worms for the city this week.

Valparaiso's David Garfin is the proud owner of a Fisker Karma

In 2006, the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? stunned audiences by revealing that an electric car had been produced, was practical, produced no emissions and was fast—and owners loved it. But, according to the movie's producers, the fleet of leased cars was literally crushed in the A…

Utility getting people in line for IN-Charge

MERRILLVILLE | Although there is much debate about the pace American drivers will adopt electric vehicles, Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is investing money in a program to boost the ranks within its service territory.

NIPSCO selects residential charging station administrator

The Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is expected Thursday to name 350Green LLC as the administrator of a pilot program providing electric vehicle charging stations for residential customers.

Valpo's Green Farms almost ready to start taking produce orders

VALPARAISO | It has taken about two years for Green Farms Agronomics and Mycology LLC to lay the groundwork to build an indoor vertical farm and produce crops.

Building budget

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L.A. firm to lead NWI electric vehicle market study

A national developer of electric vehicle charging station networks said Thursday it received a contract from NIPSCO to lead a market study that will help determine ideal locations for publicly available charging posts.

YOUNG VOICES: World needs to embrance sustainable growth ideals

One of the major events overshadowed by the din of Occupy Wall Street and the world's persistent economic woes is the growth of the human race to 7 billion people on Oct. 31.