State of the Air: INDIANA

Here’s what we’re working on in Indiana:

Indiana borders the world’s largest group of freshwater lakes on earth, the Great Lakes. Source of drinking water to more than 40 million people, the Great Lakes are threatened by pollution and declining water levels, which is already resulting in increased algal bloom production. Scientists predict that climate change will cause water levels in the Great Lakes to drop significantly in coming decades, threatening this source of not only vital drinking water, but also transportation, tourism, commercial fishing operations, manufacturing operations, and sportsmen industries. This is another way that Hoosiers understand the personal, immediate impacts of climate change on our homes and communities.

Mercury: We are supporting strong limits on harmful mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Climate Change: We are fighting global warming by supporting policies, namely America’s Clean Power Plan, that will reduce carbon emissions and decrease dangerous co-pollutants. In a state dominated by coal with the poor air quality to match, State Senator Scott Schneider has introduced a bill that states Indiana’s refusal to comply with the EPA Clean Power Plan, which set a modest CO2-reduction goal for Indiana of 20 percent by 2030. We’re fighting against the so-called “Reliable, Affordable and Safe Power Act” (SB 569), which isn’t safe for our children’s health or their futures. Take action here.

Clean Energy: We are ensuring that our energy future is renewable, clean, and healthy — for the sake of our children’s health. According to the Solar Foundation’s 2014 Job Report, Indiana had a surge in solar installation in 2014 and will install more solar capacity this year than in all previous years combined. At a time of unprecedented growth in this industry, State Rep. Eric Koch is sponsoring a bill (HB 1320) to end net metering and effectively kill rooftop solar in Indiana. We’re fighting back against this regressive bill which only serves utilities – not consumers, and certainly not our kids.

Energy Efficiency: In 2014, the legislature abolished Energizing Indiana, a statewide energy efficiency program. This year, Governor Mike Pence and bill sponsor State Senator James Merritt have proposed SB 412, which abdicates governmental responsibility for enforcing efficiency and allows utilities to set their own electricity-savings goals – with no oversight. The bill eliminates any incentive to save energy and burn less coal. It’s unacceptable, and we’re fighting it.

Chemical Policy Reform: We are fighting to keep toxic chemicals out of the products we use every day, through supporting reform of the outdated Toxic Substances Control Act. Moms Clean Air Force applauds the unprecedented bipartisan effort to better protect us from dangerous chemicals through the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act and we are committed to making this bill as strong as possible.

Natural Gas Pollution: We are demanding strong protections from methane, volatile organic compounds, and other harmful air pollutants associated with fracking and natural gas development.

Indiana’s electricity generation by source, 2014*:

*Source: US Energy Information Administration

2015

• Evansville Courier & Press, LETTER: Put air quality before perception
• 14 News, Evansville EPA considering change to ozone standard
• Evansville Courier & Press, City receives failing ozone grade; EPA cites recent strides not included in data
• WFIE (NBC), 4/29/2015 News Clip
• WNDU, Multiple Michiana counties fail American Lung Association’s air quality report
• Sierra Club, INDIANA FAILING AIR QUALITY GRADES HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR STRONG CLEAN AIR PROTECTIONS
• The Journal Gazette, Speaker was wise to pull energy bill
• Evansville Courier & Press, COMMENT: Everyone has right to breathe clean air
• The Courier-Journal, Hoosiers and clean air
• Journal & Courier, Indiana should support a stronger smog rule

2014

• Lafayette Journal & Courier, Indiana in good shape to meet proposed ozone rules
• Indy Star, Indiana ‘in good shape’ to meet proposed ozone rules
• 14 News, Moms Clean Air Force take a stand against politicizing the climate
• Courier Press, Alternative energies safer, create jobs
• ThinkProgress, Moms, Nurses Laud New EPA Carbon Pollution Plan: ‘Ultimately, It Will Save Lives’
• Indianapolis Star, Gov. Pence vows to fight Obama’s plan to cut carbon emissions
• Palladium-Item, EPA would require power plants to cut carbon emissions
• Lafayette Journal & Courier, Gov. Pence vows to fight Obama’s plan to cut carbon emissions
• WNIN, Recent particulate alert stirs debate
• Evansville Podcast, Moms Clean Air Force
• Evansville 14News, Evansville mom in Washington D.C. to battle climate change

Upcoming Events

Past Events

May 2015: Mama Summit 2015 | Moms Clean Air Force Indiana members gathered at the state capitol in Indianapolis to call on elected officials to take action on climate change. Participants met with Indiana Senator Jean Breaux, who offered to sponsor a resolution to form a study committee and hold a hearing on the link between energy and children’s health. Participants also had a chance to chat with Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann, who is from Southwest Indiana and is a grandmother.

The Indiana Mama Summit solidified partnerships with long-standing statewide groups, helped build our name in Indiana, and started important conversations with those who have the most influence in our state.

• A Breath of Fresh Air
• Citizens Action Coalition
• Hoosier Sierra Club
• Illinois Sierra Club
• Indiana Beyond Coal
• Indiana Climate Collaboration
• WeCAN
• Sustainable Indiana 2016
• Valley Watch

TELL YOUR GOVERNOR: SUPPORT CLEAN AIR FOR KIDS

TELL INDIANA LEADERS: STOP WAGING WAR ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH