Law requires tougher standards for Great Lakes pipelines
Congress has ordered stronger safety measures for pipelines carrying oil and other fuels in the Great Lakes region.
Energy & Environmental Law
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High court rejects request to block mercury rule
The Supreme Court of the United States has rejected an appeal from 20 states including Indiana seeking to block a federal rule targeting mercury pollution from taking effect while the government revises the rule to account for compliance costs.
Judge: Substantial progress in Volkswagen emissions talks
Volkswagen and attorneys for vehicle owners affected by the company's emissions cheating scandal are on target to meet a June deadline for a final settlement proposal, a federal judge said Tuesday.
Coal mine environmental risk grows with bankruptcies
As more coal companies file for bankruptcy, it’s increasingly likely taxpayers will be stuck with the very high costs of preventing abandoned mines from becoming environmental disasters.
High court strikes down Maryland power plant subsidies
A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Maryland officials overstepped their authority when they offered financial subsidies to encourage construction of a new power plant in the state.
Peabody, largest US coal miner, files for bankruptcy
Peabody Energy, the nation’s largest coal miner, filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday as a crosscurrent of environmental, technological and economic changes wreak havoc across the industry.
Gardner: Judicial deference and the Clean Power Plan
Justice Scalia’s long and momentous career on the U.S. Supreme Court gave us innumerable important decisions (and scathing dissents) that have shaped the intersection of administrative and environmental law.
Waterhouse: An environmental justice challenge for Indiana
Sadly, many Indiana children are at an even greater risk than children in other states for lead poisoning.
‘No more stringent’ restrained
Manufacturers, agriculture and other big Hoosier industries pegged House Bill 1082 at the top of their legislative agenda this year. So did about 20 environmental, health and public-interest groups that opposed the measure barring Indiana from adopting environmental regulations tougher than federal standards.
Indiana and other states choking on EPA’s new Clean Power Plan
The Clean Power Plan, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gases by imposing caps on states regarding carbon dioxide emissions, has incited a backlash that began before the rule was even published in the Federal Register. A coalition of states, including Indiana, is seeking review of the plan in federal court, claiming the rule exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s statutory authority.
Scalia vacancy boosts prospects for Obama’s carbon-cutting plan
The U.S. Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death improves the outlook for President Barack Obama’s controversial plan to cut carbon emissions from U.S. power plants, just a week after the court raised doubts about its viability.
Challenges to Peabody Energy’s coal mine self-bonding grow
A Midwestern environmental group has followed through on its promise to formally challenge Peabody Energy's ability to guarantee it has enough money for future cleanup of its Illinois and Indiana coal mines.
Obama vows to press ahead on Clean Power Plan after setback
The administration of President Barack Obama is vowing to press ahead with efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions after a divided U.S. Supreme Court put his signature plan to address climate change on hold until after legal challenges are resolved.
High court upholds government’s energy conservation program
The Supreme Court of the United States has upheld a 4-year-old federal program that pays large electric customers to save energy during times of peak demand.
Edwardsport plant foes finally reach settlement with Duke
The bitterest foes of Duke Energy Corp.’s Edwardsport coal-gasification plant have agreed to drop their objections and join a settlement that would resolve many of the issues over how much ratepayers will be charged.
Ringleader in $90M fuel scam sentenced to 20 years
The ringleader of a $90 million biodiesel scam operated in central Indiana was sentenced Thursday to serve 20 years in prison and to pay more than $56 million in restitution for his role in the fraud.
Judge issues $50M judgment against Elkhart environmental nuisance
Residents who live near a waste dump and wood-waste processing facility in Elkhart won a default judgment of more than $50 million against the former owners. The sum appears largely a symbolic figure, however.
EPA intends tougher downwind air-pollution rule in 23 states
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed tougher new limits on Tuesday on smokestack emissions from nearly two dozen states — including Indiana — that burden downwind areas with air pollution from power plants they can't control.
Coal ash expert to address Indiana environmental advocates
An expert on the nation's coal ash ponds will address Indiana environmental advocates during their annual gathering focusing on the state's upcoming legislative session.
IURC must reconsider Vectren’s plant modification, rate reimbursement requests
Even though a utility company completed many of the projects it received approval for regarding modifications of coal-powered generating stations, that does not render an appeal by various environmental groups moot, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Thursday.