Supreme Court allows construction to resume on the Mountain Valley Pipeline
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday allowed construction to resume on a contested natural-gas pipeline that is being built through Virginia and West Virginia.
Energy & Environmental Law
Articles
Indiana lawmakers could further dilute state wetlands protections following SCOTUS decision
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling from earlier this year will effectively remove federal protections for most of Indiana’s wetlands — and enable Hoosier lawmakers to repeal already-weakened state protections for those areas.
Supreme Court limits federal power over wetlands, boosts property rights over clean water
The Supreme Court on Thursday made it harder for the federal government to police water pollution in a decision that strips protections from wetlands that are isolated from larger bodies of water.
Draft EPA rule could impact nearly 50 Indiana coal ash dumps
Draft federal regulations for toxic coal byproducts could cover nearly 50 exempted dumps spread across 14 locations in Indiana.
More than two dozen cities and states are suing Big Oil over climate change — they just got a boost from the US Supreme Court
Local and state governments that are suing major oil companies want to hold them responsible for the costs of responding to disasters that scientists are increasingly able to attribute to climate disruption and tie back to the fossil fuel industry.
IndyBar: The EPA and PFAS
The EPA is cracking down on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a ubiquitous family of chemicals that can be found everywhere from dairy farms and military bases to nonstick pans and food packaging.
Bill that would change wetlands definition passes Indiana House committee
Democrats, environmental groups and business leaders are denouncing a bill that they say would further erode protections for Indiana’s already shrinking wetlands.
Judge declines to enter summary judgment in Newton Co. CAFO case, stays proceedings
Opting to wait until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes its second review of a Newton County CAFO, the Indiana Northern District Court declined Monday to enter summary judgment for two environmental associations suing the CAFO’s operator.
U.S. Supreme Court keeps wetland damage lawsuits in state courts
A lawsuit against oil and gas companies over damage to Louisiana’s wetlands will remain in state court, the U.S. Supreme Court said, rejecting an appeal by major energy companies who wanted to get the case moved to a federal court.
Huldin: EPA approves Phase I standard: Is your real estate deal ready?
ASTM and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have added new requirements for a Phase I to meet compliance with the all appropriate inquiry requirements.
Shoultz & Wheeler: Keeping the lights on in Indiana in transition to renewables
While the 2023 Indiana General Assembly is poised to enact some long overdue advancements to help keep the lights on, a perfect storm is looming that may leave Indiana in the dark.
Doehrmann, Wieg & Haughey: Working in a PFAS world: What you need to know
PFAS are almost ubiquitous in our environment, contained in such everyday items as food packaging, nonstick cookware, furniture coatings, carpeting, apparel, paints, soaps and personal care products.
Relue, Connor & Townsend: The future’s so bright (I gotta wear shades)
Indiana communities can now choose to become solar energy-ready communities under Indiana Code § 8-1-42.
Bill seeks to prevent federal takeover of Indiana air pollution program
Indiana’s air pollution permitting program is low on money, edging toward violation of the federal Clean Air Act — and a potential U.S. Environmental Protection Agency takeover. And it’s because air pollution is decreasing.
District court rules against CAFO, Corps
A ditch system dug nearly 100 years ago to drain Beaver Lake, formerly the largest natural lake in Indiana, is at the center of a legal battle between a 4,350-dairy cow CAFO and the neighboring Newton County residents.
COA finds utility company met TDSIC requirements
An attempt to short circuit the state’s approval of a power company’s plan to upgrade the system and increase rates through the TDIC mechanism was disrupted when the Court of Appeals of Indiana found the plan and the state regulators were grounded in statute.
Indiana refinery fire not expected to hit gas prices much
Skeletal remains found nearly 40 years ago in rural northeast Tennessee have been identified as those of a missing Indiana girl, authorities said Tuesday.
What’s in big Biden bill? Health, climate goals become law
President Joe Biden arrived at the White House promising to “build back” America, and legislation he’s signing Tuesday delivers a slimmer, though not insignificant, version of that once sweeping idea.
Supreme Court won’t take Dakota Access Pipeline case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to consider an appeal of a lawsuit over the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Lawmakers lay groundwork for electric-vehicle infrastructure
Indiana lawmakers are working to set up the first regulatory framework for utilities to build charging stations and other wide-scale infrastructure needed to support Hoosiers’ conversion to electric vehicles. House Bill 1221 outlines parameters for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to use when considering utility company proposals for the construction of charging stations and setting […]