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Support an Indiana Green Jobs Development Act
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 Indiana has a national opportunity to be a leader in the manufacturing of renewable energy and energy efficient components. Learn more in this Indiana Business OpEd by HEC`s Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda about the multi-billion dollar opportunity that we are missing if we do not pass a strong "Green Jobs Development Act" in Indiana. Contact Jon Sperl, Outreach Associate, to learn more about the Green Jobs Development Act at jsperl@hecweb.org.
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| HEC Expresses Great Concern Over the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management`s Unilateral Changes on its Enforcement Office |
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In a letter addressed to Commissioner Tom Easterly, HEC`s Executive Director wrote about IDEM’s pending plan to discontinue the agency’s Office of Enforcement, expressing "disappointment in what appears to be the agency’s emerging policy to make important environmental decisions unilaterally." To read the letter, click here.
IDEM`s dramatic changes -- made with no consultation of Indiana environmental groups -- are getting wide notice across the state. See OpEds in the Indianapolis Star, the Northwest Indiana Times, and the Chronicle Tribune.
HEC will be informing our members and supporters about opportunities to participate in comment periods to voice your concerns.
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Massive Coal Ash Spill in Tennessee a Stark Reminder of The Perils of Coal-fired Electricity
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A 1.1 billion gallon spill of coal combustion wastes from a power plant’s retention pond in eastern Tennessee threatens the drinking water, health and homes of residents living near Kingston. In Indiana, millions of tons of the same type of waste, generated by the state’s coal-fired power plants, are often disposed of in poorly engineered landfills, lagoons, or dumped in surface coal mines. Ash, sludge, and other wastes remaining after coal is burned in power plants, known as coal combustion wastes (CCW), contain hazardous levels of arsenic, lead and other toxic substances. Look for more information soon on coal combustion wastes in Indiana. Read the latest on the Tennessee coal ash disaster here and here.
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More than 120 People Join the Hoosier Environmental Council`s First Annual Environmental Policy Forum
 In partnership with public health, recycling, green building and wildlife groups, the Hoosier Environmental Council hosted a 3 hour public educational forum on some of the leading environmental issues that will be considered in the 2009 Indiana General Assembly. Over 120 people, from at least ten cities and towns across Indiana, braved the cold weather and snow to attend this packed event. Many thanks to those that joined us. Please support HEC`s mission!
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| Welcome to Our New Executive Committee & Board Members |
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At our annual meeting on December 6th, HEC`s membership unanimously chose Anne Laker as Board President, Kevin McKinney as Vice-President, Elizabeth Mahoney as Secretary and Jeff Barnd as Treasurer. David Campbell, a Partner at Bingham & McCale; Holly Johnson, IU Foundation Director; and Virginia Gunther, Executive Coach, Creative Consulting; were all chosen to serve as new members of our board. We thank Michael Sutherlin for his years of service as our outcoming board President!
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| Discover More Pollution Sources on the Wabash River |
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 A more complete map of pollution sources along the Wabash River can now be viewed on our Wabash Riverkeeper webpage. Details about the sources, for instance if the source is a confined feeding operation for hogs or chickens, can be found on this map as well. Google Earth is required for viewing this file. Click here to view the map directly. |
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| Learn about the Proposed I-69 Project, and its Grave Taxpayer and Environmental Implications |
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| The Hoosier Environmental Council and our allies continue our principled support for upgrading the US-41/I-70 route over the new terrain I-69 route as a means of linking Evansville to Indianapolis. The I-69 new terrain route would be a deeply unwise use of precious taxpayer funds, and would lead to the destruction of more than 7,000 acres of forest, wetland, and cave systems across Southwest Indiana. To read our views on the I-69 new terrain route, click here. To view our recent ads in the Indianapolis Star, click here as well as here. |
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| All Educational Donations Being Matched, Thanks to Foundation |
Now through 2012, th e McKinney Family Foundation will match all donations made to the Hoosier Environmental Council Fou ndation (HECF). HECF provides funding for all educational and outreach activities by the Hoosier Environmental Council. |
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