New Law Restricts Local Governments’ Ability to Address Climate Change House Bill 1191, now Public Law 180, takes away local governments’ power to restrict natural gas or set energy-saving regulations on buildings. Enrique Saenz May 5, 2021
Beginning July 1, local governments in Indiana will have much less power to enact regulations that would reduce their contributions to climate change.
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law House Bill 1191, authored by Rep. Jim Pressel and co-authored by the chair and vice chair of the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee, Rep. Ed Soliday and Rep. Ethan Manning.
The law takes away the power of local governments to prevent the use of fossil fuels and to enact other energy-saving and energy-producing regulations.
Governor signs controversial wetlands bill into law
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April 26, 2021
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a controversial wetlands bill into law on Thursday, disappointing numerous environmental, conservation and civic groups that had spoken out against the legislation.
The legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 389, eliminates a 2003 law that had required builders and developers to secure permits for construction and development in certain state-regulated wetlands. The new legislation also ends enforcement against landowners accused of violating wetlands laws.
Lawmakers passed the legislation on April 14, and it made its way to the governor’s office on Wednesday. Holcomb had seven days in which to decide whether he would sign the bill into law or veto it, but he opted to take quick action.
Wetlands safeguards would be win
Larry Clemens
Indiana s General Assembly recently illustrated what s become an unfortunate and all-too-frequent political maxim: When money talks, good public policy walks.
In this case the money, about $390,000 spread across the General Assembly since 2017, according to the Indianapolis Star, comes from the Indiana Builders Association. The result is Senate Bill 389, and it is bad public policy. I hope Gov. Eric Holcomb will veto the bill.
Its first, horrible iteration was a repeal of regulations that protect about 800,000 acres of wetlands not connected to a lake or a stream. These wetlands perform basic and important functions.
Indianaâs General Assembly recently illustrated whatâs become an unfortunate and all-too-frequent political maxim: When money talks, good public policy walks.
In this case the money, about $390,000 spread across the General Assembly since 2017, according to the Indianapolis Star, comes from the Indiana Builders Association. The result is Senate Bill 389, and it is bad public policy. I hope Gov. Eric Holcomb will veto the bill.
Its first, horrible iteration was a full repeal of the regulations that protect about 800,000 acres of wetlands that arenât connected to a lake or a stream. These wetlands, although classified by characteristics such as the presence of trees and wildlife, all perform basic and important functions.
Indianaâs General Assembly recently illustrated whatâs become an unfortunate and all-too-frequent political maxim: When money talks, good public policy walks.
In this case the money, about $390,000 spread across the General Assembly since 2017, according to the Indianapolis Star, comes from the Indiana Builders Association. The result is Senate Bill 389, and it is bad public policy. I hope Gov. Eric Holcomb will veto the bill.
Its first, horrible iteration was a full repeal of the regulations that protect about 800,000 acres of wetlands that arenât connected to a lake or a stream. These wetlands, although classified by characteristics such as the presence of trees and wildlife, all perform basic and important functions.