State releases first round of stimulus eligible projects

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) released the first group of wastewater and drinking water projects that would be eligible for interest-free loans if a federal stimulus package is approved. Twelve projects totaling $36 million and ranging from a $320,000 wastewater treatment plant in Dugger to a nearly $10 million wastewater treatment plant in Peru are on the list.

“Governor (Mitch) Daniels charged us to move as quickly as possible to put Hoosiers to work. These projects are either ready to go or receiving final approvals. They will put Hoosiers to work now and build critical infrastructure that will help attract more jobs to these areas and improve public health through improved water quality,” said Ryan Kitchell, chairman of the IFA.

The IFA notified the 12 communities to proceed with project bidding. If a federal stimulus bill passes and includes clean water funding for the state, these will be the first projects to receive 0 percent interest loans.

The U.S. House recently passed a federal economic stimulus bill that includes approximately $140 million in wastewater and $28 million in drinking water funding for qualifying Indiana projects. The Senate is currently considering this bill.

If the House-passed language were to become law, it would distribute these funds to the Indiana State Revolving Fund, an existing program managed by the IFA that makes loans to communities for wastewater and drinking water projects.

The 12 projects are: water mains for Liberty, Madison and North Manchester; wells/storage/mains for Jackson County; sewer rehabilitation for Ladoga and Mount Vernon; and wastewater treatment plants for Wallen, Peru, Brownsburg, Darlington, Dugger and Rensselaer.

Brazil posts its first monthly trade deficit since 2001

BRASILIA (AP) — Brazil is reporting its first monthly trade deficit since 2001 as the global economic crisis slashes exports.
The government said January’s exports fell 26 percent from the same month a year ago to $9.8 billion, while imports fell 17 percent to $10.3 billion. The Feb. 2 report from the Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Exterior Commerce said the $518 million trade gap was nearly double its most recent trade deficit, registered in March 2001.
The world economic crisis has slashed demand for steel, minerals, farm goods and other Brazilian exports. The country’s imports have declined more slowly as its weakening currency makes many imports too expensive to buy.

EPA agreement calls for cleanup of Iowa plant site

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a settlement for the cleanup of a former Army ammunition plant site in Ankeny.

The agreement, approved Feb. 3, focuses on a 38-acre site known as the Des Moines Ex Ordnance Site Landfill and Lagoon Complex. It was used to process and dispose of waste from various industries, including World War II ammunition, farm implements and municipal garbage.

The EPA says the site is contaminated with lead and chromium. Once cleaned, the site will become green space as part of the city’s Prairie Trail development.

The city, John Deere Des Moines Works and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will spend about $9.1 million on cleanup. The EPA will provide $2.6 million for past and future cleanup costs.

Northern Missouri man sues Deere and wind company

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A northern Missouri man has filed a lawsuit against farm equipment maker Deere & Co. and a wind energy company, alleging nearby wind turbines have hurt his property values and made him ill.

Charlie Porter filed the lawsuit in the 4th Circuit Court of Missouri against Deere and The Wind Capital Group, a St. Louis-based wind energy company. Porter settled a federal lawsuit in December that he filed against the Gentry County Commission last year over the turbines. Terms of that settlement were not disclosed.

In the state lawsuit filed Jan. 26, Porter said the 260-foot turbines near his home outside King City have led to loss of property value and sleep deprivation caused by noise from the turbines. Some of the turbines are within about 1,200-1,500 feet of his home, according to the lawsuit.

Deere spokeswoman Angela Gallagher said the company does not comment on litigation. Tom Carnahan, president and CEO of Wind Capital Group, said Porter’s claims have no merit. Carnahan also said Wind Capital Group had an earlier preliminary injunction against Porter, ordering him not “to harass, threaten, damage or harm our property and our employees.” That injunction was dissolved last year.

Charlie Speer, Porter’s lawyer in the case against Deere and Wind Capital Group, said he was not surprised that other adjacent landowners had not complained because “they lease land to Wind Capital to run the wind turbines so they obviously have a financial interest,” Speer said.

Also named in the lawsuit are John Deere Capital Corp., John Deere Renewables and Deere Credit Services. The companies have about a month to respond to the lawsuit.