Settlement reached to protect endangered Kirtland’s snakes
The Hoosier Environmental Council secured a settlement last week in a lawsuit filed a year ago over an endangered species of snake and the wetlands where it resides.
Environmental Issues
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Biden administration proposes rule for workplaces to address excessive heat
The Biden administration proposed a new rule Tuesday to address excessive heat in the workplace, as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories due to blistering temperatures.
‘Green blitz’: As election nears, Biden pushes slew of rules on environment, other priorities
As he tries to secure his legacy, President Joe Biden has unleashed a flurry of election-year rules on the environment and other topics, including a landmark regulation that would force coal-fired power plants to capture smokestack emissions or shut down.
As feds stand down, states choose between wetlands protections or rollbacks
In Indiana, Illinois and many other states, local homebuilders’ groups have been among the leading voices to curtail wetlands regulation. But many environmental advocates in Indiana say a new law’s supporters are understating its effects.
EPA issues new auto rules aimed at cutting carbon emissions, boosting EVs
The Biden administration announced new automobile emissions standards Wednesday that officials called the most ambitious plan ever to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles.
Supreme Court seems skeptical of EPA’s ‘good neighbor’ rule on power plant pollution
The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority seemed skeptical Wednesday as the Environmental Protection Agency sought to continue enforcing an anti-air-pollution rule in 11 states while separate legal challenges proceed around the country.
Cummins faces shareholder and customer lawsuits after $2B settlement
Cummins Inc. is facing multiple lawsuits from shareholders and Dodge Ram truck owners after the company agreed to pay $2 billion late last year to settle allegations that it unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of pickup truck engines.
Hamer: Commercial property environmental due diligence
Many new property owners and lessors also aren’t aware of — and don’t budget for — the duty to perform ongoing obligations in order to keep whatever legal defenses they may have from their environmental site assessment.
Alson and Pashos: Judicial deference to administrative agencies in 2024
In the four decades since Chevron was decided, it has been cited in more than 18,000 cases. Today, however, the future of the “Chevron deference” is uncertain.
Sugarman: Change coming to judicial review of agency action in Indiana?
Two cases currently pending before the United States Supreme Court have the potential to change the face of administrative law at the federal and, perhaps, state level by eliminating or significantly curtailing Chevron deference.
Holcomb signs first bill of 2024, rolls back wetlands protections
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the first bill to hit his desk in the 2024 legislative session: one further eroding wetlands protections by redefining certain, protected wetlands to a less regulated class.
Bill further rolling back Indiana wetland protections is first to land on governor’s desk
Republican state lawmakers quietly fast-tracked a contentious bill that will further strip protections on some Indiana wetlands. It’s the first piece of legislation to head to the governor’s desk this session.
A little fish at the Supreme Court could take a big bite out of regulatory power
In a Supreme Court term increasingly dominated by cases related to former President Donald Trump, the justices are about to take up lower profile cases that could rein in a wide range of government regulations affecting the environment, workplace standards, consumer protections and public health.
States and Congress wrestle with cybersecurity at water utilities amid renewed federal warnings
States and the federal government are wrestling with how to harden water utilities against cyberattacks. The danger, officials say, is hackers gaining control of automated equipment to shut down pumps that supply drinking water or contaminate drinking water by reprogramming automated chemical treatments.
Environmental groups want stronger rules for use of coal ash fill after EPA reveals new risks
In a draft risk assessment published last month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of a proposed broader revision of its coal ash management rules, the agency now says using coal ash as fill may create elevated cancer risk from radiation.
Supreme Court will hear challenge to EPA rule limiting downwind power plant pollution in 10 states
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in February on whether the Environmental Protection Agency can continue enforcing its anti-air-pollution “good neighbor” rule in 10 states.
Ingredion to pay $8M to settle claims of Clean Air Act violations at Indianapolis plant
An Illinois-based food ingredient manufacturer has agreed to an $8 million settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over claims that it violated the Clean Air Act at its corn wet milling facility in Indianapolis.
Following her curiosity: Chief Environmental Law Judge Davidsen preparing for retirement after 20 years
The path to judgeship wasn’t a straight shot for Chief Environmental Law Judge Mary Davidsen, but she let her curiosity lead her along the way.
Alcoa facing legal action over allegations of illegal dumping
A pair of environmental groups is preparing to file a lawsuit against Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Corp. over alleged violations of the Clear Water Act at the company’s Warrick Operations in Newburgh.
EPA delays new ozone pollution standards until after 2024 election
The Environmental Protection Agency is delaying plans to tighten air quality standards for ground-level ozone—better known as smog—despite a recommendation by a scientific advisory panel to lower air pollution limits to protect public health.