Environmental Protection Agency terminates $20B in grants for climate projects
Administrator Lee Zeldin claims that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is part of a “scheme” administered by the previous administration without proper oversight.
Environmental Policy
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Indianapolis won’t begin universal curbside recycling until 2028
In November, a Department of Public Works staffer revealed to the Board of Public Works in a public meeting that the Hogsett administration is now planning for a rollout three years later than the original target.
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Can a city battle climate change? Indianapolis wants to find out.
A plan drafted by the city’s Office of Sustainability—and a commission the City-County Council is forming—aim to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Circle City.
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Articles
Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for emissions waste by oil, gas companies
The new fee is intended to encourage industry to adopt best practices that reduce emissions of methane—the primary component of natural gas—and thereby avoid paying.
Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says
Last month, a federal agency determined “with moderate confidence” that there is a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids.
New EPA rules target coal ash ponds for cleanup
For the first time, federal regulations will cover the nearly 50 dumps spread across 14 locations in Indiana that were previously exempted from cleanup provisions.
Strict new EPA rules call for coal-fired power plants to capture emissions or shut down
The plan is likely to be challenged by industry groups and Republican-leaning states. They have repeatedly accused the Democratic administration of overreach on environmental regulations and have warned of a looming reliability crisis for the electric grid.
IBJ Podcast: Farming challenges mount as Indiana gets hotter and wetter, but crops will have staying power
Three members of Purdue’s agronomy faculty—including an expert in soybeans and an expert in corn—explain how climate change is playing out on the ground in Indiana farm fields.
Push to shape future of Indiana forests draws backlash
For decades, Hoosier activists have been fighting what they view as improper forest management plans by government agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, even as both agencies claim to be doing what is best for the state’s forests.
Wetlands protections remain intact after pushback from environmental groups
Indiana lawmakers removed controversial language from a bill that would have effectively stripped protections for certain wetlands, but Republican leadership in both the House and Senate expressed support for reviving the language.
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.
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ about to get their first US limits
But experts say removing them will cost billions, a burden that will fall hardest on small communities with few resources.
Biden set for first veto on Senate bill opposing climate-related investing
The Senate passed the measure after Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., crossed party lines and joined the Republicans.
Spurred by regulators, 3M to phase out ‘forever chemicals’
Tuesday’s announcement comes as 3M is facing an onslaught of lawsuits from states and individuals who are claiming contamination from PFAS harmed their health.
EPA: ‘Forever chemicals’ pose risk even at very low levels
The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected.
Tougher federal environmental review for big projects to be restored
A rule finalized Tuesday will restore key provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, an environmental law designed to ensure community safeguards during reviews for a wide range of federal proposals.
EPA rule would finally ban asbestos
The American Chemistry Council, a lobbying group for the chemical industry, slammed the EPA proposal, saying it could cause substantial harm to America’s drinking water supply by reducing the domestic supply of chlorine.
Green progress is aim of SEC reporting proposal for public companies
The proposal would require disclosure of risks climate change pose to companies and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by companies and by their supply chain.
UPDATE: Justices wrestle with EPA power to curb carbon emissions
The justices, in arguments Monday, are taking up an appeal from 19 mostly Republican-led states and coal companies over the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
New City-County Council committee to strike a greener path
The panel plans to focus first on urban forests and parklands, then recycling and solid waste, then equitable health and infrastructure investments.
EPA moves to crack down on dangerous coal ash storage ponds
Plants in four states, including Indiana, will have to close the coal ash ponds months or years ahead of schedule, the EPA said Tuesday, citing deficiencies with groundwater monitoring, cleanup or other problems.
Manchin’s ‘no’ vote on Build Back Better bill undercuts Biden’s climate agenda
The senator, who had been the chief Democratic obstacle to the White House’s sweeping policy initiative for nearly six months, said he could not support the bill because of his concerns about inflation, the growing deficit and the need to focus on the omicron coronavirus variant.