Latest news with #IndianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement
Chicago Tribune
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Emissions testing in Lake, Porter counties could be phased out under new law
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill Friday that reviews air quality standards and vehicle emission testing. Senate Enrolled Act 103, authored by Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, and Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to evaluate the air quality within nonattainment areas, which includes Northwest Indiana. The bill also identifies air pollution reduction or regulatory relief strategies to align with federal Clean Air Act standards. Braun signed the bill at the Lake County Government Center, flanked by Lake County officials. The law aims for the 'eventual phase out of the inspection and maintenance program for light-duty vehicles.' The law also aims to withdraw Lake County and Porter County from the Metropolitan Chicago Interstate Air Quality Control Region. Under the law, which was sponsored by many Northwest legislators, IDEM has to submit a comprehensive report to the governor and state lawmakers by June 30, 2026, according to a statement from State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster. Braun signed the bill with Niemeyer, Dernulc, Andrade, Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago; Sen. Mark Spencer, D-Gary, State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, standing around him. Before signing, Braun said when he was in the legislature in 2015, he recalled legislators talking about how to address vehicle emissions. He was able to sign the bill because the legislature was able to 'pick up the gauntlet,' Braun said. Some people may bring up environmental concerns with the law, Braun said. 'Mother Nature, the environment, and conservation have been dear, deep issues for me,' Braun said. 'If it's not making sense, you do something that makes it easier.' In 2021, the Lake County Council sued the state to eliminate emissions testing in Lake County, stating it's unfair that only Northwest Indiana counties require emissions testing. Dernulc referenced the lawsuit and how the county lost, so he said he looked forward to IDEM completing the study. Niemeyer said legislators have spent years fighting to change emission testing procedures. The emissions program 'was necessary at one time, but not necessary now.' Lake County has had to follow the emissions testing because of its proximity to Chicago, Randolph said, and state legislators have been fighting the measure for years. 'I'm very pleased to see this happen,' Randolph said. 'I'm very pleased, governor, that you're here, and I'm happy that you took the time to come here to sign this bill.' Andrade said in a statement that the law will allow state officials to review how Indiana regulates emissions and whether some policies can be improved. 'We know clean air is critical to our health and safety, especially in industrial regions like Northwest Indiana. But we also know some of our testing requirements may be outdated or overly burdensome. This study will help us find that balance,' Andrade said in the statement. The law allows for 'responsible deregulation,' Andrade said, by updating systems that might not benefit residents while prioritizing public and environmental health. 'This isn't about rolling back protections. It's about using real data to guide future decisions,' Andrade said in the statement. 'Northwest Indiana deserves clean air and smart policy. With this law, we're working toward both.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Indiana among top states for cover crop adoption
Hoosier farmers planted about 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers – cover crops and small grains, like wheat – this spring. (Photo byHoosier farmers planted about 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers – cover crops and small grains, like wheat – this spring, elevating the state to the top in the nation in cover crop adoption, according to a survey by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The conservation survey, conducted between March and May, recorded 651,000 acres of corn and 916,000 acres of soybean covering the state. Posey County led the state with about 87,000 acres under cover crops, followed by Gibson County with 70,000 acres and LaPorte County with 60,000 acres. 'Hoosier farmers are committed to preserving one of God's most (precious) gifts – Earth,' Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said in a press release. 'Overwintering covers are just one tool that farmers use to preserve and enhance our farmland — ensuring they can pass down their property for generations. This is no easy task, and it can be costly. I applaud them for the extra effort.' Farmers plant cover crops after the fall harvest to keep roots in the ground throughout the winter. They help build organic matter in the soil, improve overall soil health and reduce erosion. Some, such as legumes, also act as natural fertilizers. Cover crops have grown to cover more acreage in Indiana than any other commodity crop apart from corn and soybeans. Acres of Living Green Cover Planted The survey estimates that cover crops helped prevent 1.8 million tons of sediment from entering Indiana's waterways — enough to fill about 18,000 train freight cars. According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, constructing roads, buildings and the moving earth can cause sediment to enter waterways – making sediment the number one water quality pollutant in Indiana. The survey also revealed that 70% of row crop acres were untilled — a method where crops are planted directly in residue of the previous crop. Additionally 18% had used reduced tillage over winter following the 2024 harvest. Last year, Hoosier farmers broke the conservation record, planting 1.7 million acres under living cover. The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, who assisted in conducting the survey, was among the many hit by federal funding freezes. The federal funding freezes left the Allen County district in turmoil – hurting operations and terminating an employee.
Indianapolis Star
03-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
IDEM issues deregulation report under Gov. Braun's orders. Advocates question need, impact
The state agency charged with protecting Indiana's environment and Hoosiers from industrial pollution completed its first step to 'reduce excessive environmental regulation' and fulfill obligations imposed by Gov. Mike Braun. Braun issued an executive order earlier this year requiring state agencies to revisit any environmental regulations that 'impose unnecessary burdens on businesses, communities, agencies or industries' in the state. The order also requires agencies to identify 'overly burdensome' regulations and policies and report ways to revisit or rescind them no later than July 1. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management fulfilled this requirement in a new report that outlines 10 items for review. These regulations and policies range from streamlining pollution and discharge permits to making it easier for firefighters to conduct open-burn training. The agency not only plans to pursue changes in state regulations, but says it wants to encourage federal agencies such as the EPA to also change regulations. In a letter of support for IDEM's report, Braun said states going beyond federal environmental standards create complexity for businesses and farmers, and federal baselines are an appropriate limit. 'We need to unleash the productive side of our economy, while protecting and preserving our state's natural resources,' Braun wrote. IDEM said in its report it remains committed to reducing regulatory burdens that do not benefit Hoosiers and the environment. Industry groups said they welcome the changes in regulations and believe quicker permitting and fewer regulations will bring economic benefits. But environmental advocacy groups oppose the roll-back and contend the state is already behind on protecting Indiana's air and water and the health of Hoosiers. They also questioned why IDEM is tasked with protecting business interests over the environment. Kim Ferraro, managing attorney at Conservation Law Center, said Braun's executive order reinforces a false premise that regulating the environment is bad for the economy. 'There is no evidence to support that,' Ferraro said. 'It's dangerous that we keep putting it out there as the choice we have to make because that's a false choice.' The Conservation Law Center joined with other advocacy groups to submit comments to IDEM, but Ferraro said the premise of Braun's executive order was aimed at getting input from industry and did not focus on the burdens deregulation would have on Hoosiers. 'Current regulation doesn't meet the law in that it doesn't go far enough,' Ferraro said. 'That imposes many costs on Hoosiers in terms of medical costs and health care bills. It's bad for human health and the environment and not based in reality or best available science.' These burdensome costs on human health and the environment are what IDEM should be paying attention to, not the monetary costs of doing business, she said. 'Why is this on environmental agencies to roll back policies?' Ferraro asked. 'There are many other state agencies charged with promoting business interests, are they not doing their job? It seems strange to have (IDEM) promote industry interests.' The groups also argue in their comments that Indiana already faces serious environmental challenges that require the state to go beyond federal standards, and Braun's order imposes an unnecessary burden on state agencies. Others, however, are eager to see Braun's order play out. 'By making sure that our environmental regulations through IDEM match up closely or exactly with the federal regulations, it provides employers with regulatory certainty,' said Ashton Eller, the vice president of governmental affairs at the Indiana Manufacturers Association. He believes manufacturers who operate nationwide will be enticed to come to Indiana when they see the state's regulations are streamlined with the federal government. Eller said he's aware of the potential health impacts of environmental deregulation, but views Braun's directive as a modernization of regulations — not an elimination. 'Manufacturers are aware of the environmental outcomes upon health,' Eller said. He noted the report acknowledges it's possible to be good stewards of the environment without stifling growth through excessive government mandates. "We couldn't agree more,' he said. IDEM sought public input as part of its effort evaluating existing regulations. A selection of those comments was included in the agency's report to Braun. The department received about 1,000 comments from various groups and will review them all while it considers the next steps. Some farming groups submitting comments thought the state could do more than the federal standards. Two comments focused on Indiana's confined animal feeding operation laws on farms. The state's regulations are stricter than federal guidelines, but both commenters supported IDEM's current regulations. They cited how Indiana's regulation offers protection to farmers against nuisance lawsuits and environmentally related litigation. A large selection of the comments IDEM provided in its report came from industrial groups. One submission asked IDEM to change the verification timeline for wastewater discharge lagoons from once yearly to every five years to coincide with federal permit renewals, while another expressed support for streamlining state permits for coal mining facilities. Earlier this year, the U.S. EPA announced it also would look into permitting reforms across the country to streamline energy investment, and one coal-mining company urged IDEM to continue to review and update state regulations in alignment with these changing federal priorities. If IDEM decides state laws that exceed federal regulations should stay in place, the department has until Oct. 31 to review those rules and regulations. The agency must then provide a written report to Braun and the Legislative Council by Dec. 31. The 10 regulations and policies IDEM outlined in its report to Braun were chosen so the agency may clarify or rescind them. The agency in its report said it is committed to making sure its regulations are consistent with current law, supported by best available science and are not 'unduly burdensome.' Here are the 10 items with brief descriptions of what they are: Underground storage tank forms: IDEM says these forms, used during changes in facilities with these tanks, are redundant and duplicative due to federal requirements. Prior approval for fire training at an open burn: IDEM says fire departments requesting prior approval to train with an open burn is burdensome and recommends removing this requirement. Streamline pollution discharge permitting: Facilities currently have three years to come into compliance with pollution discharge permits known as NPDES. IDEM believes this timeline is out-of-date and recommends extending it to five years, in line with U.S. EPA. Redefining biomass and feedstock: The state wants to look at new definitions for biomass and feedstock to clear up confusion on what can be used in anaerobic digesters used for recycling items like manure and food waste. Emissions Reduction Plan for malfunctions: IDEM is considering revising or removing the requirement that air pollution-permitted facilities submit a plan to reduce emissions that resulted from a malfunction. Remove IDEM certification requirement for some tax deductions: IDEM is currently required to certify if certain systems or devices qualify for tax deductions. IDEM says the process is unnecessary and recommends removing the requirement. Electronic waste fund flexibility: Revenue from electronic waste registration and recycling is currently limited to the administration expenses. IDEM recommends expanding what the fund can be used for, like outreach and collection. Extend some waste permits: Solid and hazardous waste permits range from three to five years in length. IDEM proposes extending certain permits to 10 years to reduce the paperwork burden for applicants. Streamline application for alternative water discharge limits: Facilities, like steam-powered electricity generators, which release heated water into rivers and streams are typically bound by temperature limits, unless they can prove their proposed limit won't harm the natural environment. IDEM suggests streamlining the application process to remove burdens and uncertainty for facilities. Rescind environmental penalty guidance: Documents guiding civil penalties for breaches of environmental regulations and penalties for leaking storage tanks will be rescinded. IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at Follow him on BlueSky @ or X @karlstartswithk.
Indianapolis Star
26-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
IDEM seeks public input on eliminating 'overly burdensome' environmental regulations
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is asking the public to provide input on how the agency can meet Gov. Mike Braun's orders to reduce potentially stifling regulations typically meant to give Hoosiers clean air and water. Braun earlier this year signed an executive order directing state agencies to review environmental rules and regulations so they may provide 'a stable, predictable, and fair environment for businesses and industries' in the state. The governor's order says the state's environmental rules and regulations should not be more stringent than federal requirements and agencies should not 'impose unnecessary burdens on business, communities, agencies, or industries ... ' State departments have until the end of 2025 to submit a report to Braun. Citizen comments are due by June 30. Groups like the Indiana Manufacturers Association find these orders favorable, but environmental advocates say Indiana policy doesn't go far enough. Ashton Eller, vice president of governmental affairs with the Indiana Manufacturer's Association, said Braun's orders and the steps IDEM is taking is a clear strategy that prioritizes economic development in the state. Eller said one of the top priorities for the association is the speed of permitting. 'Sometimes the speed of government doesn't move at the speed of business,' Eller said, 'and those permits need to be done quickly and efficiently in order to get them issued to the manufacturing facilities as quickly as possible.' The IMA represents the interests of about 1,000 manufacturers and adjacent services in the state. That membership base employs around 350,000 Hoosiers, Eller said. Waiting for months on end for permits to come through can be frustrating for manufacturers because they are not able to launch a new product or expand a facility to bring in new employees, Eller said. 'If they are not able to do those processes, they are not able to bring in the revenue that they would need to without that permit,' Eller said. 'The (permitting) delay would delay higher outputs that could bring in more revenue not just to the manufacturer, but also that community.' Sam Carpenter, executive director at Hoosier Environmental Council, said environmental regulations are usually put into place as a response to some event. He pointed to the 1999 White River fish kill resulting in protections for the river and other local issues like the lead exposure in Martindale-Brightwood and the recent Marion County Health Department report on the health impacts of living near a Superfund site. 'These are real impacts on people's health and quality of life,' Carpenter said. 'I think it is important that we think about why we have these protections in place, and if there are ways to make them more efficient and smarter, then absolutely we would like to have that conversation but to just eliminate them really overlooks a bigger problem.' While efficiency and smart regulation can be supported from Carpenter's perspective, he said it's not right to think about environmental regulations as overburdensome for business that 'historically has not voluntarily regulated itself on a collective basis enough to not need laws.' 'We have health impacts and destruction of natural resources that cause a significant financial burden on individuals as well,' Carpenter said. Rob Michaels, senior attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center, said now is not the time to roll back environmental regulations when the federal government is defunding the U.S. EPA and pulling back on environmental enforcement across the board. Michaels also said that allowing more pollution for the sake of economic growth is a misguided priority. 'We are a far richer country than we were in the '70s and there is way less air pollution and water pollution,' Michaels said. 'We can have economic development and protections for clean air and water. It is a false trade off that is really the premise of these orders.' Hoosiers can submit comments to IDEM by sending an email to efficiency@ IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Indianapolis Star
25-06-2025
- Health
- Indianapolis Star
E. coli found in three Fishers waterways. Is Geist Beach still open for swimming?
The Fishers Health Department has issued a public health advisory after two tests found evidence of E. coli bacteria in three Hamilton County waterways. Tests performed on June 23 and June 24 showed "unsatisfactory" levels of E. coli in water collected from Fall Creek at Geist Park, Fall Creek at Canal Place and the White River at 6100 Wahpihani Drive. Though water collected from near the Olio Boat Ramp showed high levels of E. coli on June 10, those levels have returned to "satisfactory" in every sample taken since June 17. Both of the contaminated Fall Creek samples were taken from water just northeast of Geist Reservoir. Three samples of water from common swimming and boating areas in the reservoir, taken between June 20 and June 24, all passed the health department's tests. E. coli levels can spike during and immediately after periods of heavy rainfall and high heat. Central Indiana is at the tail end of a heat wave, which will be followed by several days of rain. The presence of E. coli in water is indicative of fecal contamination, which could come from agricultural or sewage runoff. There are many strains of E. coli, according to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Most are "harmless," the agency says, while some strains can cause serious gastrointestinal illness, urinary tract infections or respiratory problems. The most recent samples from the Olio Road boat ramp, Family Cove and Cambridge Cove all passed the health department's tests. Those three locations "have direct relation to where we find most relaxing in the water," according to the health department. Geist Reservoir remains safe and open to visitors, but online records show the two points on Fall Creek with high E. coli were forced to close.
