By Herald Staff

DALE — Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life and Valley Watch have appealed the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s air quality permit for the Riverview Energy refinery proposed for Dale. The groups, represented by the environmental law organization Earthjustice, will argue in Marion County Superior Court that the Office of Environmental Adjudication committed legal errors when it upheld the permit.

“In the decision of the OEA, we were held to an impossible standard,” said Mary Hess, president of SWICQL. “The responsibility of proving engineering and technical issues should not fall on the shoulders of community organizations. We will pursue every avenue available to give a voice to those who support us, as we continue to shed light on the fact that Riverview Energy, having had their permit for over 19 months, has yet to break ground.”

Valley Watch President John Blair added: “Riverview Energy is a scam that has woefully divided the citizens of Spencer County. It is time Spencer County officials step up, like those in Vermillion County, and tell the sponsors they are no longer welcome to spread their myths. If they cannot perform, it is time for them to just go away. We can do better.”