The Risk-based Closure Guide (Nonrule Policy Document WASTE-0046-R2, or R2), successor to the Remediation Closure Guide (RCG), was presented to the Environmental Rules board on June 8. The Risk-based Closure Guide therefore became effective on July 8.

The Indiana General Assembly is working on House Bill 1226 for this month, and it has a direct impact on the environmental management of Indiana. A few of the key aspects of this bill, if it is passed, are a pilot project for waste diversion, the adoption of all waste exemptions or exclusions as are adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and for the use of coal combustion residues as raw materials for manufacturing another product.

Advanced directives are essential tools for ensuring one's wishes for medical and end-of-life treatment are known. Unfortunately, people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are often overlooked in discussions surrounding advanced directives. Thanks to a $35,000 grant from the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, a new program from Indiana Disability Rights will empower these individuals to make their important end-of-life choices known.

The July 1 Form R deadline is approaching, and now is the time to brush up on your understanding of EPCRA’s reporting requirements.

An uncommon type of farming comes to Indiana just outside of Indianapolis. In Muncie, a company based out of Minnesota, Living Greens Farm, is setting up a vertical aeroponic farm system. Vertical farming is one of the most common forms of aeroponic farming and is used to produce large amounts of leafy greens while using significantly less water and fertilizer than traditional farming.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has published a revision to its remediation closure guidance, which addresses contaminated site investigation, remediation and regulatory closure under various IDEM programs, including the State Cleanup, Voluntary Remediation, Leaking Underground Storage Tank, RCRA Corrective Action and Brownfields Programs. The existing Remediation Closure Guide (RCG) is to be replaced by the Risk-based Closure Guide, nicknamed "R2."

Indiana is home to different forms of renewable energy. There are wind farms and solar arrays on land that can be seen from highways and state roads alike. There is a new source of renewable energy technology coming to Indiana: floating solar panels or "floatovoltaics."

The American Bar Association recently awarded the Louis M. Brown Select Award to the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Virtual Ask a Lawyer program last week. Winning the award was quite a feat as the other finalists were programs run by state bar associations. This national recognition reveals the special and unique nature of our legal community, which is so willing to help those in need.

Recent challenges, ranging from the pandemic to widespread social unrest born of racial inequalities, have caused employers across all industries to take a careful look at their diversity and inclusion practices in the workplace and likewise have created a unique need for diverse legal counsel. The Indianapolis Bar Association takes pride in its diverse legal community and is committed to promoting continued diversity as evidenced in its annual Diversity Job Fair, and we need your help.

The Remediation Services Branch of Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Land Quality is now asking that all State Cleanup Program and Voluntary Remediation Program sites submit an annual report. The Remediation Services Branch created a form that can be used for both types of sites.