JTNWI and Earthjustice are gravely concerned about the potential release of toxic coal ash and demand answers.

The environmental groups and several local community groups are demanding the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) revise the state’s draft permit for the plant to include stronger pollution limits for mercury and PFAS, as well as dangerous toxins like arsenic, benzene, and lead, which are also being released into a waterway that is a source of drinking water and recreation for millions of people in the Chicago area.

A coalition of health, community, and environmental groups yesterday released a new map showing more than 500 facilities that emit toxic or hazardous air pollution, and that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin invited to apply for Presidential exemptions from air pollution limits.

Last week, Governor Braun issued a trio of harmful executive orders. Communities in Northwest Indiana will experience the impacts of these orders firsthand, from health issues, toxic air and water emissions to compounding waste issues, and more extreme weather and lake events.

The website identifies nine different standards that protect people from toxic and hazardous air pollution and encourages the “regulated community” to apply for special Presidential exemptions from these safeguards.

The sweeping environmental deregulations proposed Wednesday by EPA will drastically impact public health and erase all progress on curtailing greenhouse gas emissions harming the planet.

The agreement reached between the County and NIPSCO uses the drastic and unconscionable 22% electricity rate hike to bypass community-driven redevelopment and divert attention from the necessary remediation that needs to occur on the MCGS lakefront site.

We are left with mounting questions more than answers about what we see as a dangerous experiment being conducted without our consent.