Indiana Department of Environmental Management - News Releases

[IDEM] IDEM welcomes new assistant commissioner (5/20/2013)

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/20/2013
End Date:	5/20/2013

Carol S. Comer joins the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) today, to serve as the assistant commissioner for the Office of Legal Counsel and Criminal Investigations.

Carol has practiced commercial and environmental law for more than 15 years, gaining extensive knowledge in federal regulations for toxic substances, community-right-to-know, hazardous and industrial waste, air pollution control, and water quality. She also brings to the position added experience in dispute resolution, having served as an Indiana administrative law judge in cases involving multiple governmental, corporate and private parties.

Carol was Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis' first Environmental Law Fellow. Following the completion of her law degree in 1996, Carol worked as an associate with Plews, Shadley, Racher and Braun in Indianapolis, where she participated in civil litigation and administrative proceedings on insurance recovery, cost recovery for cleanup sites, solid waste permits, air and water permit appeals, underground storage tank upgrades and removal, cleanup oversight, and defense against agency actions under federal cleanup regulations. Carol’s experience in dispute resolution began in 2002, when she joined the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as an administrative law judge for telecommunications, and gas, water and electric utility matters.

In 2003, Carol resumed her work as an attorney, joining Lewis and Roca LLP, in Arizona, where she participated in cases on utility regulation and line siting, hard rock mineral mining, and real estate and corporate environmental due diligence in addition to litigation and administrative proceedings for environmental cases. More recently, Carol has been serving as an administrative law judge for the Indiana Board of Tax Review, where she has presided over property tax appeals, trained field hearing officers, researched tax issues, monitored legislation, and served as a speaker on tax matters and ethics issues for other tax attorneys.

As assistant commissioner for the Office of Legal Counsel and Criminal Investigations, Carol will oversee the work of staff who provide internal legal counsel and develop rules for adoption by Indiana’s Environmental Board. Carol will also serve as a liaison with the Indiana Attorney General’s office and senior legal staff at other state agencies, to aid in coordination on cases involving complex, multi-media issues.

Carol has a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law, a Master’s of Public Administration from Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and a Bachelor’s of Science from Indiana University School of Business. She attended the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series. She volunteers with the Indiana Pro Bono Commission, CIRRI Radio Network (WFYI), and Indiana’s Foreclosure Prevention Program, as well as God’s Bounty Food Pantry, where she also serves on the Board of Directors.

About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

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[IDEM] Ohio Valley Resources LLC air permit meeting, hearing is Wednesday evening (5/14/2013)

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/14/2013
End Date:	5/14/2013

Who: Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)

What: Public informational meeting and formal public hearing for air permit proposed for Ohio Valley Resources LLC

When: Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Informational meeting – 5:30 p.m. (local time)

Formal public hearing – 6:30 p.m. (local time)

Where: South Spencer County High School, 1142 North CR 275 West, in Rockport, Indiana

On the Web: http://www.in.gov/apps/idem/caats/searchById.jspx?id=32322

Ohio Valley Resources LLC is seeking an air permit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Office of Air Quality for the construction and operation of a new nitrogenous fertilizer production plant at 300-400 East CR 350 North in Rockport, Indiana. As part of the public participation process, IDEM is holding an informational meeting and formal public hearing Wednesday evening at the South Spencer County High School, 1142 North CR 275 West, in Rockport, Indiana.

The informational meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. (local time), followed by the formal public hearing at 6:30 p.m. (local time). IDEM staff will present information about the proposed air permit and answer questions from the public during the informational meeting. The formal public hearing will provide opportunity for individuals to submit oral and written comments for inclusion in IDEM’s public record on permit decision.

In addition to the opportunity to submit comments during Wednesday’s formal public hearing, individuals may submit written comments to IDEM through May 20, 2013, at the following address:

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Office of Air Quality

100 North Senate Avenue

Mail Code 61-53 IGCN 1003

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

E-mail comments to: dmatouse@idem.IN.gov

Fax comments to: (317) 232-6749

IDEM notified the public on February 28, 2013 about the opportunity to submit comments, through a mailing to potentially affected parties and a legal notice in the Rockport Journal Democrat. IDEM became aware of significant public interest during the initial 30-day public comment period following the legal notice. IDEM arranged for the formal public hearing and extended the public comment period to May 20, which provided additional time for interested parties to review the permit documents and submit comments. IDEM has made minor corrections and additions to the proposed permit and technical support document (TSD).

The public can download the proposed air permit using the Online Air Permit Search on the IDEM website at www.idem.IN.gov. Copies of the permit documents are also available for review at these locations:

• Spencer County Library, 210 Walnut Street, Rockport, Ind.

• IDEM’s Southwest Regional Office, 1120 N. Vincennes Avenue, Petersburg, Ind.

• IDEM’s main office, Indianapolis, Ind.

IDEM will consider all written comments submitted during the public comment period and all oral comments made during the formal public hearing before making its final decision.

About IDEM

IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

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[IDEM] Town of Nashville achieves CLEAN Community status (5/6/2013)

Mon, 6 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/6/2013
End Date:	5/6/2013

The Town of Nashville became the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) newest “CLEAN” community at a ceremony during Nashville’s 50th Annual Spring Blossom Parade on Saturday. Rick Bossingham, assistant commissioner for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Office of Compliance Support, presented a plaque and commemorative road sign that signify Nashville as a “CLEAN” community, with new goals to further improve the community’s environmental quality.

“It is a great honor for the village of Nashville to be designated by the State of Indiana an IDEM CLEAN Community,” said Bob Kirlin, Town Council President. “A special thank you goes out for all the time and effort that the committee has put into this great accomplishment. It is another outstanding example of our community working together for a very important common goal. We are honored.”

“The Town of Nashville and its residents can be proud of their commitment to protecting and improving the area’s natural resources and reducing environmental impacts,” said Thomas Easterly, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. “IDEM is honored to be part of Nashville’s special event and recognize the community for its exceptional initiative.”

CLEAN stands for Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network. The CLEAN Community Challenge is a voluntary recognition program for local Indiana government entities that make significant commitments to environmental management. CLEAN helps communities take steps to plan, develop and implement a Quality of Life Plan, which focuses on reducing the potential environmental impacts associated with municipal operations and communitywide activities.

As part of the CLEAN Community Challenge, Nashville has identified five environmental goals it will pursue over the next three years. These goals include:

• Promote the planting of indigenous (non-invasive) plant species within the Town of Nashville and reduce non- indigenous species by 10 percent.

• Educate the public about littering and provide increased enforcement against it.

• Develop and implement a plan to address log jams and partner with external organizations to remove logs and debris from Salt Creek.

• Improve salt storage containment areas on Town property.

• Establish more stringent water loss policies for Town buildings to conserve water resources.

Nashville joins these 13 other cities and towns in the CLEAN Program: the towns of Brownstown, Edinburgh and Fishers, and the cities of Hobart, Huntingburg, Jasper, Noblesville, Portage, Richmond, Rushville, Tell City, Washington, and West Lafayette.

About IDEM

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[IDEM] Town of Nashville achieves CLEAN Community status (5/2/2013)

Thu, 2 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/2/2013
End Date:	5/2/2013

Induction ceremony set for May 4

Who: Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Town of Nashville

What: CLEAN Community Challenge designation ceremony

When: 11 a.m. (local time), Saturday, May 4, 2013

Where: Nashville, Indiana

The Town of Nashville will become the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) newest “CLEAN” community at 11 a.m. (local time), Saturday, May 4, 2013. The induction ceremony will take place during the 50th Annual Spring Blossom Parade in Nashville. Rick Bossingham, IDEM assistant commissioner, will present a plaque and commemorative road sign during the parade.

As part of the CLEAN Community Challenge, Nashville has identified five environmental goals it will pursue over the next three years. These goals include:

• Promote the planting of indigenous (non-invasive) plant species within the Town of Nashville and reduce non- indigenous species by 10 percent.

• Educate the public about littering and provide increased enforcement against it.

• Develop and implement a plan to address log jams and partner with external organizations to remove logs and debris from Salt Creek.

• Improve salt storage containment areas on Town property.

• Establish more stringent water loss policies for Town buildings to conserve water resources.

About IDEM

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[IDEM] IDEM offers “Air Quality 101” articles to help Hoosiers understand air quality (5/1/2013)

Wed, 1 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/1/2013	All Day
End Date:	5/1/2013

As Air Quality Awareness Week is observed in Indiana and across the country, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) invites Hoosiers to visit its new “Air Quality 101” Web page at www.idem.IN.gov/airquality/2548.htm. Air Quality 101 is designed to help citizens better understand air quality in Indiana. It offers articles that are written so the average citizen can understand the complex, scientific issues of measuring and determining Indiana’s air quality, and how the information can be of benefit to them.

Keith Baugues, assistant commissioner for IDEM’s Office of Air Quality, will be penning a new article biweekly for the website. Hoosiers are encouraged to read the articles and provide feedback. Four articles are available now.

“We have seen reports and articles indicating that Indiana’s air quality stands as one of the worst in the country. Hoosiers have received inaccurate information about Indiana's air quality because some groups are using questionable methodology and producing misleading reports,” said Baugues.

“It is a fact that during 2009 through 2011, Indiana was one of only 19 states to meet the national standards for ozone and fine particles—better than 31 other states with areas out of attainment,” said Baugues. “We are probably breathing the cleanest air of our lives, but we continue to face clean air challenges.”

Issues such as this and many others will be addressed. Baugues will explain what the air quality measurement standards are, what they mean, where Indiana is compared to other states, and where we are headed.

About “Air Quality 101” author Keith Baugues

Keith Baugues has 39 years of experience working on air pollution issues, including nine years with the State of Indiana, nine years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and 21 years as an environmental consultant in Illinois, Texas, Colorado and Indiana. Keith is also licensed as a professional engineer.

About IDEM

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