Berne was settled in 1852 by Mennonite immigrants who came directly from Switzerland, and named the community for the capital of Switzerland. They began the chore of preparing for farming by clearing the land.
Intentions, however, were not always equal to actions. Implementation of the Clean Air Amendments was made difficult by a reluctant automobile industry and the energy crisis of the early 1970s. The 1970 act gave the auto industry a temporary way out of meeting the tougher standards.
In 1990, Congress again strengthened the motor vehicle program. The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments established tighter standards for automobiles, trucks, and buses, called for the control of nonroad engines, strengthened EPA's in-use compliance, and established requirements for both conventional and alternative fuels.he 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments established tighter standards for automobiles, trucks, and buses, called for the control of nonroad engines, strengthened EPA's in-use compliance, and established requirements for both conventional and alternative fuels.