H. Max Kelln: The impact of Biden’s last-minute ethylene oxide decision
The most significant part of this decision is its attempt to reduce OSHA’s permissible exposure limit for workers.
Environmental Protection Agency
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Water systems, manufacturers brace for limits on ‘forever’ chemicals
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took a historic step in April to protect communities from so-called “forever chemicals,” with the federal agency releasing a final rule that established legally enforceable limits.
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Swimming upstream? SCOTUS decision, Indiana legislation reignite wetlands debate
A ruling that was 15 years in the making has now sparked passionate discourse in the Indiana Statehouse as changes to wetlands occur.
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Toxic fallout: Remediation and lawsuits continuing at USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago
The pictures of sun-drenched homes and neatly trimmed lawns in East Chicago showcase what is perhaps the best outcome. However, the images belie the nightmare many residents are still living. The homes along with the neighboring West Calumet Housing Project and Carrie Gosch Elementary School were all built on the USS Lead Superfund site.
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Draining protection: Deregulation bill sends conservationists scrambling to save Indiana wetlands
A controversial bill that would do away with state regulation of Indiana’s wetlands is on the fast track to becoming law, throwing environmental agencies and conservation advocates into a frenzy. Farmers and land developers support the legislation, arguing wetland regulations are burdensome.
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Articles
Ohio River protection would be new federal office’s job under bipartisan bill in Congress
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would create a new office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address environmental needs of the Ohio River basin spanning 204,000 square miles.
Franklin residents sue over alleged decades-long exposure to hazardous waste from two factory sites
The lawsuit, filed in Marion Superior Court, alleges that the defendants released large quantities of several known carcinogens from their Franklin sites into the city through the air, soil, groundwater, and sewer system.
Supreme Court allows rule limiting pollution from coal-fired power plants to remain in effect
The justices rejected a push from Republican-led states and industry groups to block the Environmental Protection Agency rule, marking the third time this month the conservative majority has left an environmental regulation in place for now.
In landmark move, EPA requires removal of all lead pipes within 10 years
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule Tuesday requiring water utilities to replace all lead pipes in the United States within 10 years, a move aimed at eliminating a toxic threat that continues to affect tens of thousands of American children each year.
Emergency fuel waiver issued for four Midwest states to alleviate soaring gas prices after storms
ExxonMobil shut down the refinery last month when severe weather swept through the region. The waiver, for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, will continue through Aug. 20.
‘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.
GOP attorneys general sue Biden administration and California over rules on gas-powered trucks
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is leading the group of GOP attorneys general—including Indiana’s Todd Rokita—who filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to overturn an Environmental Protection Agency rule limiting truck emissions.
Tough new EPA rules would force coal-fired power plants to capture emissions or shut down
New limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric plants are the Biden administration’s most ambitious effort yet to roll back planet-warming pollution from the power sector, the nation’s second-largest contributor to climate change.
New EPA rule says 200 US chemical plants must reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer
More than 200 chemical plants nationwide will be required to reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer under a new rule issued Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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.
Indiana among states challenging new EPA rule on deadly soot pollution
A group of states filed a joint challenge stating that new Environmental Protection Agency rule would raise costs for manufacturers, utilities and families and could block new manufacturing plants and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After Supreme Court curtails federal power, Biden administration weakens clean water protections
The Biden administration weakened regulations protecting millions of acres of wetlands Tuesday, saying it had no choice after the Supreme Court sharply limited the federal government’s jurisdiction over them.