In many ways, where you live determines your quality of life. A recent fair housing report seems to agree. A new report from the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana underscores significant environmental concerns across Indiana, including Gary and Lake County, stemming from historical redlining. The study found that historically low-income and redlined communities are […]
Environmental Justice
Posted inCommunity, Environmental Justice
Residents Fight Gary Works Air Permit: ‘If the Steel Mill Won’t Quit, They Should Get No Permit’
Across the street from the smoke plumes of Gary Works’ steel mill, community members gathered at 21st Century Charter School to fight for their right to clean air. “Our air quality is a joke,” said Gary resident and gardener Libre Booker, who was moved to tears while speaking. “Our air quality is actually a joke. […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
IDEM’s Latest Climate Action Plan Is Up for Review. Will Gary Benefit?
A crucial next step that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Gary is underway. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management applied for an Environmental Protection Agency implementation grant this week. IDEM submitted its Priority Climate Action Plan, a proposal that included projects with greenhouse gas reduction measures and input from community surveys and Hoosiers […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, State Government
What the Latest Environmental, Health Laws Mean for Gary
Indiana state lawmakers passed a number of environmental and health-related bills this past legislative session that could affect Gary. Meanwhile, some bills that would have potentially impacted the city were left on the cutting room floor. From wetlands protection to radon testing, Capital B Gary took a closer look at the legislation that passed and […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Inside Gary’s Battle Over a Planned Pollutant Waste Plant
This story was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative at Wake Forest University. A single, winding road stretching off of 35th Avenue is punctuated with a sign on each side. On one is the name of a school: Steel City Academy. Directly across, obscured among foot-tall reeds, […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Gary Residents Speak on IDEM’s Plans for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
Inside the corner of the community room of the Gary Public Library, dozens of Gary and Northwest Indiana residents gathered with state officials to discuss how to spend millions of dollars to tackle the region’s air pollution. “You’re a partner, and we’ve got to get this money,” said Bruce Curry, a Gary resident, who received […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
IDEM Hosts Gary Public Meeting for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is hosting additional public meetings in Gary, where residents can voice their opinions on how funds for a new climate pollution reduction grant should be spent. The Gary meeting will occur on Thursday, Feb. 1, in the Gary Public Library & Cultural Center community room. Scott Deloney, branch chief […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
New EPA Plan Could Accelerate Lead Pipe Removal. Here’s What That Means For Gary.
From 24-packs of bottles of water in kitchen pantries to fridges and faucets adorned with filters, Black households hold a common unspoken rule: They don’t trust their water. “When you turn on your tap, you should trust what’s coming out of it,” said Chakena Perry, senior policy advocate for the Natural Resource Defense Council. The […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Deadline Nears for Public Comments on Pollution Reduction Plan
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is conducting a survey asking Indiana residents to weigh in on how the state could spend federal grant money intended to improve Indiana’s air quality. Part of that process is soliciting community feedback, particularly from groups that have historically not been part of climate decisions but may have been […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Gary Adds Fuel to the Fight Against Fulcrum BioEnergy
A determined group of Gary residents are continuing their fight to safeguard the city from more pollution. Gary Advocates for Responsible Development (GARD) asked for adjudication in its legal battle against Fulcrum BioEnergy this week, challenging the air permit for a proposed waste-to-jet-fuel plant in Gary. Advocates like GARD hope to prevent additional industrial pollution […]