Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Indiana regulators ban IPL tree trimming on private land


December 14, 2009

By John Tuohy
john.tuohy@indystar.com

http://www.in.gov/iurc/" target="_blank">The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has temporarily stripped Indianapolis Power and Light of its unique written permission to go on private property to raze and snip trees.

“This is very good news,” said Jerry Baker, a resident of Traders Point who helped spearhead citizen opposition to what he calls aggressive tree trimming practices. “This shows that they are listening.”

The IURC found that only IPL has a written clause in its charter, or tariff, to trim and destroy private trees if it thinks it’s necessary to keep electricity flowing. The state’s four other utilities, the IURC suggested, operate just as efficiently without the controversial tool.

“It does not appear that such a provision is necessary for public utilities to provide electric service,” the IURC said in its ruling last Thursday. It found it “to be without authority granted by statute or Commission rule.”

The immediate effect of the temporary suspension was unknown but Baker said it could expose the utility to lawsuits.

“That provision was put in there was for legal cover,” Baker said. “They go in, knock all the trees down, and then say they are allowed to by the provision.”

IURC spokeswoman Danielle McGrath said the order does not bar IPL from still going onto private property, because all utilities are allowed to do so to a certain degree. But it does force them “to the language from their policy and make them operate as any other utility.”

The IURC has been investigating tree trimming in Indiana since April. The probe is scheduled to end in a few months.

An IPL spokeswoman refused to comment.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

IURC suspends tree trimming pending final order (VICTORY!)

Dear Traders Point Neighbors:

I met today with our State Senator Mike Delph (about a new impending tree removal disaster from another utility, Vectren), and, in the process of our discussion, I learned from Mike that just yesterday (12-10-09) IURC issued a ruling in the investigation of electric utility tree trimming practices and tariffs. The complete ruling is attached. In its last sentence it says that the tariff 15.2 (that said IPL is allowed to trim and remove trees on private property) is suspended pending the final order of the proceedings.
IURC's Tree Trimming Decision 12-10-2009 -

This is quite an accomplishment by us little David citizens that came together to take on the Goliath IPL.

Sincerely,
MAStevens
TPAN Secretary
/IURC%27s%20Tree%20Trimming%20Decision%2012-10-2009.pdf
On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM, Jerry and Cindy Baker wrote:
Charlie and I were not sure this was public yet, but it obviously is. Thanks to Mary Ann for the verification.

In my opinion there is still questionable legal language in 15.1, and 15.3 that also needs consideration, but this is a very positive indication from the IURC that we are being heard.
Keep in mind the word "suspended", but, nevertheless, with the help of many, we have really achieved something here. Hopefully, much more positive progress to come.
This news will be sent to our larger list shortly.

Thanks to all of you...

Jerry Baker / Charles Goodman

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

TOX DROP REOPENS

Dear Traders Point Neighbors:

As follow up to the Lafayette Road Bridge over Eagle Creek reopening to traffic, the city's tox drop location is also reopening (see news release below). I, myself, was in hopes the city would rethink having a collection site for toxic and hazardous materials on the banks of Eagle Creek, water supply to the reservoir providing drinking water to 500,000 Central Indiana residents, but the reopening of the tox drop signals the city is comfortable with the risk of accident, spill, or malicious mischief. Have others of you noticed the sign at the tox drop, which was replaced by an even larger sign, saying do not leave materials when the tox drop location is not open (only open on first and third Saturdays of the month)? The sign was ignored by numerous people as evidenced by the collection of cans of paint and other materials that mounted up between Saturdays when the facility was open. Heaven forbid, any pranksters decide to toss that collection into the creek. At least, fellow TPANers, only take your materials for disposal to the tox drop during hours the facility is open.

Other news items included below are:
City addresses parking citations in a new way.

For Facebook and Twitter fans, you can follow the Pike Twp. Fire Marshall on these sites.

Sincerely,
MAStevens
TPAN Secretary
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htp


TRADER’S POINT TOXDROP LOCATION RE-OPENS Program officials excited about once again expanding opportunity to northwest Indy

INDIANAPOLIS – The ToxDrop Trader’s Point Collection Facility will once again open to offer northwest area residents a convenient location to properly dispose of unwanted and unused household hazardous waste (HHW.

Due to the Lafayette Road over Eagle Creek bridge replacement project, program officials decided to temporarily close the Trader’s Point Facility until construction of the new bridge could be completed. The previous bridge was replaced with a three-span, pre-stressed concrete beam bridge.

“The Trader’s Point facility is very popular with northwest Indy residents who are acutely aware of the need to keep household hazardous waste out of our sewers and waterways through proper disposal of these materials,” said ToxDrop Program Manager Nathan Self. “We’re excited about the opportunity to once again offer area residents an easy, convenient way to properly dispose of potentially dangerous household waste.”

The facility, located at 7550 N. Lafayette Rd , will resume previous hours of operation on the first and third Saturday of each month, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

A program of the city’s SustainIndy initiative, ToxDrop is a free collection service that makes it easier for Marion County residents to properly dispose of their household hazardous waste year-round. Over the last decade, the ToxDrop program has been able to divert more than a quarter of a million gallons of HHW from the city's sewers, waterways and aquifers through periodic ToxAway events and on scheduled Saturdays. The ToxDrop program is a significant advancement to help residents properly and safely dispose of HHW. For a list of accepted materials and additional collection sites, visit www.sustainindy.org/toxdrop.cfm.

Mayor Ballard launched SustainIndy and created the Office of Sustainability in October, 2008. SustainIndy is a bold and innovative enterprise aimed at delivering long-term cost savings to the City, building the local economy, improving our quality of life and enhancing our environmental and public health. Its efforts are designed to aggressively move Indianapolis forward in making it one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest.

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