The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday it will set national standards for the regulation of coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal, in hopes of preventing air and water contamination. The rules could have a significant impact on Indiana, which has about 80 coal ash storage ponds, more than any other state in the country.

A Purdue University water research center Friday is hosting a conference in Indianapolis aimed at identifying and addressing Indiana's future water needs.

Vigo County parks officials have chemically treated 125 ash trees in Fowler Park in hopes of saving them from damage by the invasive beetle that's killed many thousands for trees in several states.

The reservoir could create new habitat for the endangered Indiana bat but it would take many years to grow the mature trees the bats use for maternity colonies during warm months.

DNR community and urban forester Carrie Tauscher says the recent cool, rainy and windy weather is likely to slow the color change and knock leaves from trees, which could result in a shorter viewing season.

On Thursday, a group of national and local leaders hopped on a bus for a tour of renewable energy projects in rural parts of Indiana. Stops included gas-to-power plants, manure digesters and solar farms. Indiana is making strides in energy efficiency projects in rural parts of the state.

El Hierro, the most remote of Spain's Canary Islands, used to import thousands of tons of diesel each year. Now a new power plant will let the island run entirely on renewable energy.

Short's bladderpod is the third Indiana plant to be listed as federally endangered, joining Short's goldenrod and running buffalo clover.

Scott Farm in Vermont grows 100 apple varieties, some of them dating back to the 1700s. These apples may not look as pretty as the Red Delicious, but what they lack in looks they make up for in taste.

As the weather cools down and the leaves change, animals are starting to look for warmer places to sleep. This means bats could find their way into buildings around Indiana.