Powers warns of possible lawsuit following cancellation of trash-to-ethanol deal

Potential lawsuits are brewing in Lake County's trash-to-ethanol saga, according to a motion by solid waste officials and statements from the developer who had contracted to build and operate the plant.

Potential legal issues abound in trash-to-ethanol contract

Some Lake County solid waste officials said they are just as concerned by the legal risks of preserving the controversial trash-to-ethanol contract as the litigation that could result from canceling it.

More of the same or new hope in trash-to-ethanol saga?

A few days after Earl Powers pledged to county solid waste officials that financing for the trash-to-ethanol plant was all but locked up, he offered to sell his interest in the project, a Powers' business associate confirmed.

Lake waste officials await latest financing pitch

Some county solid waste officials remain unconvinced trash-to-ethanol developer Powers Energy of America will secure financing from a major U.S. oil company.

Kill the trash-to-ethanol contract or grant another in a long line of extensions?

Lake County solid waste officials have an opportunity Thursday night either to stand firm on a deadline for a would-be trash-to-ethanol developer to secure financing or grant yet another in a long line of extensions.

EDITORIAL: Recognize trash-to-ethanol as the flop it is

As the next deadline nears for developer Earl Powers to prove he's making progress on the proposed trash-to-ethanol plant, it's now clear that Powers hasn't made much progress in the years since he signed the contract with the Lake County Solid Waste Management District.

Waste district attorney: Powers holds permission, not blueprints, for trash-to-ethanol

Earl Powers holds a license to use a chemical company's trash-to-ethanol process but has not yet closed on a deal for the blueprints, a Lake County solid waste attorney said.

Board to Langbehn: Draft plan to rein in credit card expenses

CROWN POINT | The executive director of Lake County's solid waste district — criticized by some of his elected bosses and a state audit for past credit card expenditures — will have an opportunity to recommend changes to the district's policy for plastic.

Lake County dodging a legal bullet on trash disposal?

The Lake County Solid Waste Management District could avoid potential litigation — but invite other legal problems — if the trash-to-ethanol contract dies between now and April 2.

Waste district to Powers: Produce results or face possible 'action'

If the company contracted to build Lake County's trash-to-ethanol plant can't show the project is making progress, Lake County solid waste officials "may consider appropriate action."

Trash-to-ethanol financing data denied

The Lake County solid waste district claims it has little or no information a political critic has requested regarding possible financing of the proposed trash-to-ethanol plant.

Controversy, uncertainty persist in trash-to-ethanol debate

Following two years of studies, debate and public controversy, proponents of a planned trash-to-ethanol plant in Schneider have yet to apply for environmental permits or break ground.

Senator: Lake County's waste inspires move for statewide trash agency reforms

An inflated director's salary, bloated budget and trash-to-ethanol controversy of the Lake County Solid Waste Management District are helping motivate a move to reform such agencies statewide, a downstate senator says.