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
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.
Sierra Paddlesports Contest - Deadline June 30
Win a Bell Canoe, a Necky Kayak, or a Paddling Getaway from The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in SIERRA Magazine's May/June 2008 Paddlesports Contest! The deadline is Monday, June 30, so read the details and enter on-line.
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?
EPA Official Fired While Fighting Dow Chemical?
The Chicago Tribune reported that an EPA worker was ousted for her efforts to fight dioxin contamination and make Dow Chemical clean-up soil and sediment contamination that flowed from its Midland, Michigan, plant into Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron.
Indiana Court of Appeals Sends CAFO Approval Back to Jackson County Zoning Board for Reconsideration
Citizens fighting a proposed 8,000 hog CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, i.e. Factory Farm) in Jackson County, Indiana, were given a second chance by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Earth Day 2008
Every day is Earth Day for Sierra members, but April 22 is the specific time set aside to remind others about the importance of taking care of our planet. Many Earth Day events are planned throughout the state, and we have the resources to help with your Earth Day celebration!
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