US sues VW over emissions-cheating software in diesel cars
Federal authorities are suing Volkswagen over emissions-cheating software found in nearly 600,000 vehicles sold in the United States.
Environmental Issues
Articles
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.
States file additional challenge to EPA emissions power plant rule
The 23 states that are challenging a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rule requiring existing power plants to reduce carbon dioxide admissions filed an additional legal challenge Tuesday challenging a similar rule related to new power plants.
Senate blocks legislation to undercut EPA clean water rules
Democrats have blocked a Senate bill that would have forced the Obama administration to withdraw new federal rules to protect smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands from development and pollution.
Indiana part of lawsuit challenging EPA carbon rule
Indiana and 22 other states filed a legal challenge Friday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new rule requiring existing power plants to make technological changes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The rule change is expected to unleash a flood of lawsuits from lawyers challenging everything from the timing to the constitutionality of President Barack Obama’s signature climate initiative.
New US clean water regulations blocked nationwide by court
A U.S. appeals court has put on hold new federal environmental regulations governing American water bodies while it reviews a legal challenge from 18 states.
Lawsuit wants plans mandated for dealing with big oil spills
An environmental group sued the federal government Thursday, contending it gives pipeline owners and operators a free pass on developing legally required plans for dealing with oil spills into lakes, rivers and other inland waterways.
BP to pay $138 million in fees in DOJ deal
The value of BP Plc’s settlement with the U.S. government and five Gulf states over the Deepwater Horizon oil spill rose to $20.8 billion in the latest tally of costs from the U.S. Justice Department.
Lawsuit takes on Indiana’s right-to-farm laws
The Hoosier Environmental Council has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a pair of Hendricks County families who say they face “intolerable living conditions” created by odors coming from a nearby 8,000-hog farm that opened two years ago.
Neither side happy with EPA’s new ozone standard
The Obama administration set a new national ozone standard Thursday, tightening limits on the smog-forming pollution linked to asthma and respiratory illness.
Volkswagen to be subpoenaed in probe by 27 states
A majority of U.S. states, including Indiana, have begun a joint investigation of Volkswagen AG in the widening fallout from the company’s admission that 11 million of its diesel vehicles use software to cheat emissions tests.
7th Circuit rejects Indiana appeal of EPA ruling
Indiana had standing to appeal EPA approval of a change in how Illinois monitors for auto emissions, but the state failed to show the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision was arbitrary and capricious, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
Judge: Landowners can’t keep public off Lake Michigan beach
A man who owns a piece of Indiana’s short stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline and said he had “complete and exclusive ownership” of its beachfront holds no such right and cannot deny the public access to that space, a judge has ruled.
COA affirms judgment against Hammond in towns’ sewer suit
Hammond’s sanitary district had no statutory authority to cancel wastewater treatment contracts with the neighboring Lake County towns of Griffith, Highland and Whiting, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday, affirming the trial court in a split opinion.
Indiana among 9 states contesting EPA water rule
Indiana will join eight other states that have challenged an Environmental Protection Agency rule redefining streams, creeks, ponds and wetlands as waters of the United States.
EPA loses on power-plant emissions rule
The Obama administration didn’t adequately consider the billions of dollars in costs before issuing a rule designed to cut hazardous emissions from 460 coal-fired power plants, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled.
Judge strikes another blow against proposed Illiana Tollway
A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago ruled Tuesday that the federal government's approval of the proposed Illiana Tollway linking northern Illinois and Indiana is invalid.
Appeals court tosses suits challenging climate change plan
A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out a pair of high-profile lawsuits challenging the Obama administration's sweeping plan to address climate change, saying it's too early to challenge a proposed rule that isn't yet final.