Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review an appeal by W. R. Grace & Co., in a case against them in Libby, Montana. Because of the decision, criminal charges can move forward against the company and six of its executives for violating the Clean Air Act. The company was charged in 2005 with willingly endangering mine workers and other Libby, Montana, residents by knowingly allowing releases of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from mining activities. The resulting asbestos diseases devastated the area causing widespread mesothelioma and other diseases linked to inhalation of asbestos products. According to the Missoulian newspaper, the mineral was used extensively in town projects such as ball fields, a running track and in domestic gardens. The case will move back to the U.S. District Court to bring trial as soon as possible. The case is considered to be one of the most significant ever brought under the federal environmental crimes program. By Joanne Williams