Stories

Protective liners, locations restrictions and groundwater monitoring are just a few of the regulations Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources would like to see implemented by the federal government in regard to coal ash disposal. But environmentalists believe if federal officials follow Iowa’s suggestions, the public will still be at risk for contaminated groundwater supplies.

Environmental advocates say that a failure of federal regulators to act poses a threat to public health.

Reuters is reporting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will deny a request to slash the federal renewable fuels standard Thursday.

Opponents of ethanol are seeking to exploit an opportunity to relax the federal renewable fuels standard, but drew a strong reaction from Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley on Tuesday. A request for a waiver from the renewable fuels standard (RFS) is gaining support, just as Midwest farmers struggle to pick up the pieces following months [...]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently moved forward with a proposal to exempt livestock operations from certain federal air quality regulations. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until March 27.
On Dec. 28, 2007, the EPA published in the federal register a rule change that exempts air releases caused by animal agriculture operations [...]

Elk Run Energy doesn’t have an Iowa office yet, but they are preparing to apply for an Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) air quality permit at a proposed coal plant in Waterloo, Ia. 

Last week from St. Louis, Mo., Elk Run Energy’s Mark Millburn said he expects to begin application for an air quality permit [...]