Matthew Watkins's Page

--- Boone County wind farm issues examined
Understanding the basics of contract and property law are critical for Boone County landowners who are asked to lease their property for a wind farm, Indiana Farm Bureau representatives say. Jason Schneider, an IFB attorney, and Kelly L. Kepner, of the Purdue Extension Benton County office, gave a crash course in wind farm development concerns and consider… Continue

--- Judge refuses to stop refinery expansion
A Hammond federal judge has refused to stop the BP Whiting refinery expansion. The NRDC presented a lawsuit to attempt to halt any further action. An expansion would be environmentally devastating, but Judge Philip Simon doesn't seem to realize that. Simon called the lawsuit… Continue

--- Indiana Congressmen vote no on ACES
Jesse Kharbanda, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, said the bill allocates allowances for heavy industry and promotes renewable energy, for instance wind, which uses large amounts of steel. He said the bill ends years of paralysis on climate change and is a "very strong start for very difficult legislation" because it sets a federal renewable… Continue

ACES Passes 219 - 212

--- Carson and Hill vote for ACES
Democratic Reps. Andre Carson and Baron Hill were the only members of Indiana's delegation to vote in favor of a bill to force reductions in greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

--- Randolph C… Continue

House Votes on ACES Today
--- A Hoosier perspective on ACES
Fort Wayne's JG investigates into whether ACES would cost Indiana jobs. It's a legitimate point - Indiana relies heavily on coal, even having the 2nd highest coal-use-per-capita rate. Congressman Souder argues ACES will not create a new "green revolution" in Indiana; rather it will send jobs to other countries such as China.

-… Continue