In The News
The Truth Behind Coal
Coal-fired power plants are one of our nation's largest—and dirtiest—sources of energy.
With new laws to fight global warming expected on the horizon, the coal industry is in a rush to build as many new plants as possible before pollution safeguards are in place. This is an industry motivated by the bottom line. Find out more in questions and answers and in the articles below.
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Top Stories from the Indiana Chapter
Save Indiana Forests
Work to discourage the sale of our beautiful state forests. Come to the Yellowwood State Forest Office on August 21, 2008. Indiana Forest Alliance will be there to witness and discourage the sale of our public forests against our
will. Thousands of trees may be sold and mowed down.
Assault on Endangered Species Act Continues
America's landmark law protecting endangered species is under attack. The Bush Administration revealed August 11, that it would soon publish a proposal that would eliminate independent scientific reviews and undermine species protections in favor of fast-tracking federal development projects. (These new regulations would not require approval by Congress.) Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said the changes were needed to ensure that the Endangered Species Act would not be used as a "back door" to regulate the gasses blamed for global warming.
Reprieve for Wolves
In a temporary victory for the gray wolves of the northern Rockies, a federal judge ruled to stop the wolf slaughter while the case challenging the removal of endangered species protections is heard. The suit was filed by Earthjustice, on behalf of a coalition of environmental and animal rights groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and H.S.U.S.
IDNR Moving to Stop Cruelty to Coyotes
By a unanimous vote, the Indiana Natural Resources Commission approved rules changes aimed at taking the state out of its role as a major supplier of animals for the interstate market in live coyotes. Although more could be done, this is a first step towards preventing coyotes from being sold and savagely killed by hunting dogs in a fenced enclosure.
Environmental Appeals Continue as EPA Makes No Objections to IDEM/BP Permit
When the BP Whiting (IN) Refinery submitted the project's air permit application to IDEM in October, the agency split the refinery's request into two permits: a significant source modification that would allow the project's construction, and a significant permit modification -- the operating air permit. IDEM issued BP its source modification permit on May 1, and construction began shortly afterwards when the EPA raised no objections. Environmental appeals will take at least a year.
U.S. Senate Blocks Global Warming Bill
In a 48 to 36 vote, Democratic leaders fell a dozen votes short of getting the 60 needed to end a Republican filibuster and bring the bill up for a vote to require major reductions in greenhouse gases. Democrats produced letters from six senators (including both presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain) saying they would have voted for the measure had they been there. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar voted with the GOP.
Environmentalists Want Everything Accounted for in Huge BP Expansion
In building the largest capital improvement project in the history of Indiana, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management must require BP to account for all emissions and leave no loopholes. The health of the public and the environment is at stake.
Environmentalists File Appeal Over BP Plan
A coalition of environmental groups, including the Sierra Club's Hoosier Chapter represented by the Environmental Integrity Project, filed an appeal to BP Whiting's air permit. One of the primary concerns was the unwillingness of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to address environmental and community concerns.
South Bend Becomes a Cool City
On Earth Day 2008, the mayor of South Bend signed the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. In doing so, South Bend joined with these Indiana cities in making a commitment to stop global warming: Bloomington, Carmel, Columbus, Evansville, Fishers-Geist, Fort Wayne, Gary, Hobart, Indianapolis, Lowell, McCordsville, and Michigan City. The Sierra Club was instrumental in bringing this about.
Questions Remain About IDEM's Handling of BP Air Permit Hearing
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management refuses to answer certain questions about the timing of a public hearing on BP's air permit. Who at IDEM was responsible for ignoring state law and providing inadequate notice of the hearing?
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