State of Indiana Archives: on Environment
Erin Houchin:
For climate bill compromise by industry & environmentalists
HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082 Apr 4, 2016: A bill that originally would have required "no more stringent" regulations than federal rules was vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence, despite a compromise on
the bill agreed to by both industry and environmental groups. Under the compromise on HB 1082, IDEM could propose regulations more stringent than the federal government, but would have been required to report them to the General Assembly.
The regulations would not have taken effect until the conclusion of the following legislative session.
Legislative Summary: Passed Senate 48-2-0 on Mar/1/16; Sen. Erin Houchin voted YES; Passed House 65-30-5 on Mar/3/16; vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Source: HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082
Apr 4, 2016
Andrew Straw:
EPA should have more power to clean up, not less
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?A: Strongly oppose. The EPA has done wonders in cleaning up our environment and NW Indiana is a great example.
The EPA should have more power to clean up, not less. The success of the EPA will mean fewer people dying of cancer and other awful diseases, including on military bases, many of which are Superfund sites.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Indiana Senate candidate
Feb 28, 2018
Brian Bosma:
State funding for open space preservation
Q: Do you support state funding for open space preservation?A: Yes. Q: Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding for improvements to Indiana's energy infrastructure?
A: Yes.
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial 2012 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Eddie Melton:
Clean car standards create jobs
State Sen. Eddie Melton [appeared] at Genesis Center's Fusion Sculpture for a "Clean Car Standards" campaign news conference. Melton said, "These standards have been a huge job booster for Indiana. These standards have spurred innovation and job
creation in the auto industry. As a leading manufacturing state, Indiana has many workers in the steel/aluminum, transmission and engine industries, making components that are going into making cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars."
Source: Times of Northwest Indiana on 2020 Indiana governor race
Jun 4, 2019
Eric Holcomb:
Stand up to federal government over environmental regulation
In the end, [the Republican candidates] are closely aligned on most policy issues. The difference is in tone. Holcomb is more likely to call for change with a smile and a Yogi Berra quote than with a fiery, angry speech.
His campaign will center on some basic questions, he said, such as "what are we doing to make ourselves safer and more economically competitive, and how is the federal government helping or hurting us do those things?"
Not that he lacks the red meat that many who will vote in next year's primary will want and even demand. He said he was pleased that Gov. Mike Pence recently "stood up to the federal government" over environmental regulations and said more
governors should take such steps. He said Republicans have "endured a long six-and-a-half years of the current president's reign," and that all of the domestic and international problems make it seem "like this place is on fire."
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2016 Indiana Senate race
Jul 14, 2015
Eric Holcomb:
Additional million trees to be planted over next five years
We now have four times more timberland acreage than we did 100 years ago. Recently, I learned the Central Indiana Land Trust has committed to planting one million trees throughout Indiana that will buffer some of our most iconic natural areas.
I've directed the Department of Natural Resources to plant another million trees on top of that over the next five years. That extra timberland will perfectly complement our $100 million renovation to our incredible memory-making state parks.
Source: 2020 Indiana State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Eric Holcomb:
Investing in community trails, planting a million new trees
We're re-starting our $90 million state investment in community trails in every corner of the state to move us toward an even more interconnected system. Moreover, Indiana has more than four times the timberland acreage than we did
100 years ago, and we're adding to that by planting one million new trees--natural scrubbers--at or near our parks over the next five years.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Indiana legislature
Jan 19, 2021
John Gregg:
Reducing air pollution reduces healthcare costs for decades
Unfortunately, Indiana ranks first in the nation for air pollution, which is more than just a bad statistic. Our poor air quality is linked to Indiana having a higher rate of cancer and lung disease deaths than cleaner states. In addition,
Indiana ranks highest in the nation for air pollutants that cause increased respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, and difficult or painful breathing.Not only are these very real health consequences for
Hoosiers, but it increases the cost of healthcare in Indiana to treat people sickened by the air they breathe. In fact, over half the health care savings from reducing air pollution would come from Medicare, the public health care program for
senior citizens.
Improving our air quality will not only directly improve health for Hoosier senior citizens, but it will also reduce the tax burden on Hoosiers by reducing demand for expensive health care for generations to come.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
Mark Hurt:
Rein in environmental regulations
Hurt supports requiring a cost benefit analysis and an up or down vote on measures affecting clean coal, clean air and many other areas of our society. Hurt believes Congress has allowed its legislative functions to be unduly delegated
to unelected staff at administrative agencies. Agencies circumvent Congress, increasingly bypassing elected representatives in carrying out unwise regulations and imposing hidden taxes.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website MarkHurt.com
Oct 15, 2017
Mike Pence:
Signed a bill that allows for more usage of eminent domain
State Summary of EMINENT DOMAIN ACTIONS (ZENT D for INDOT, Indiana Department of Transportation): Reduces from six to three years the deadline by which the Indiana department of transportation or any other person seeking to acquire property
for road construction must file a complaint to acquire the property by the exercise of eminent domain following the rejection of an offer to purchase by the owner of the property.
Requires a court to conduct an expedited hearing of the complaint.
Provides that a party to the court proceeding is entitled to an expedited appeal of the court's final ruling under rules to be adopted by the supreme court." Signed by Governor Pence on 3/13/2014.
Source: Indiana legislative voting record for HB.1076 for INDOT
Mar 13, 2014
Mike Pence:
Veto climate bill compromise by industry & environmentalists
A bill that originally would have required "no more stringent" regulations than federal rules was vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence, despite a compromise on the bill agreed to by both industry and environmental groups. Under the compromise on HEA 1082, IDEM
could propose regulations more stringent than the federal government, but would have been required to report them to the General Assembly. The regulations would not have taken effect until the conclusion of the following legislative session.
Source: HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HEA 1082
Apr 4, 2016
Mitch Daniels:
First state to phase in new environmental Clean Air permits
Unknown to most citizens, the air is now the cleanest in living memory. In 2011, every Indiana community met all national air quality standards for the first time in the history of the Clean Air Act. Last year, we wiped out the last of a 550-case
backlog of old, and therefore less strict, environmental permits, and are now the only state completely current. Our goal for 2012 is to maintain this status and, if national limits are lowered yet again, to find a way to meet those standards, too.
Source: Indiana 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 10, 2012
Richard Lugar:
Ethanol mandates help state corn farmers
Mourdock claimed a government mandate to include ethanol in gas was driving up prices overall. Lugar disagreed, saying that the mandate he supported has helped keep the overall price of gas stable, and that ethanol is a "Hoosier product with Hoosiers
producing it."Lugar countered that the ethanol requirement helps state corn farmers, and said that gas prices are decreasing thanks to a relative calming of Middle East tensions.
Source: ABC News coverage of 2012 Indiana Senate debates
Apr 12, 2012
Woody Myers:
Set standards for clean energy, reducing greenhouse gases
Q: Tighten or loosen environmental regulations?Woody Myers: Tighten. Set standards and incentives for more clean energy and reforestation, while reducing greenhouse gases and erosion.
Eric Holcomb: Loosen. Supports freeing Indiana from "Washington's one-size-fits-all overregulation," and streamlining permitting process.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Mike Braun:
EPA's new emissions standards are overbearing overreach
Braun released the following statement on President Biden's proposed new emissions standards, which intend to make 2/3 of all new passenger cars and ¼ of all trucks sold in the U.S. electric by 2032. "President Biden and his EPA are proposing
unrealistic emissions standards to try to push the public further than they are willing to go... I ran a shipping and logistics business for 37 years, so I know this kind of overbearing government overreach will make everything more expensive."
Source: 2024 Indiana Senate campaign website Braun.senate.gov
Apr 12, 2023
Mike Braun:
Farmers try to prosper while attacked by climate alarmists
Hoosier family farms feed the world with millions of acres of crops, livestock, and poultry raised and processed across our state. Farmers are doing all they can to prosper in the face of attacks from climate alarmists,
the increasing cost of inputs, and corporate consolidation. Mike Braun will put family farms first so we can preserve this way of life for the next generation.
Source: 2024 Indiana Governor campaign website MikeBraunForIndiana
Oct 24, 2023
Mike Braun:
For climate bill compromise by industry & environmentalists
HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082 Apr 4, 2016:A bill that originally would have required "no more stringent" regulations than federal rules was vetoed by Gov.
Mike Pence, despite a compromise on the bill agreed to by both industry and environmental groups. Under the compromise on HB 1082,
IDEM could propose regulations more stringent than the federal government, but would have been required to report them to the General Assembly. The regulations would not have taken effect until the conclusion of the following legislative session.
Legislative Summary:Passed Senate 48-2-0 on Mar/1/16; Passed House 65-30-5 on Mar/3/16; State Rep. Mike Braun voted YES; vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Source: HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082
Mar 1, 2016
Curtis Hill:
Partnered with Trump to fight EPA's excessive regulation
Curtis will continue to stand up to the EPA and federal agencies that seek to overregulate agriculture and crush small ranchers and farmers. Under Curtis' executive leadership as attorney general,
Indiana partnered with President Trump to fight the EPA's excessive water and land use regulation within state borders, giving power back to Indiana lawmakers and farmers.
Source: 2024 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website CurtisHill.com
Dec 19, 2023
Jennifer McCormick:
Create and implement an overall water management plan
We will promote policies that protect our wetlands, water, air, soil, recreational forests, and wildlife and fight against policies that result in their devastation, leading to unhealthy Hoosiers and communities.
We will create and implement an overall water management plan, including local control of water resources.
Source: 2024 Indiana Governor campaign website McCormickForGov.com
Jun 10, 2024
Suzanne Crouch:
No ESG: don't invest based on environmental ratings
Q: Should ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?A: No. Environmental and social issues, like ESG ratings should never be used as criteria for investing public monies. As a
former Ways & Means Committee Chair & State Auditor, I know that when it comes to investing public monies the primary goal is prudently investing funds establishing transparency and seeking reasonable returns to stretch public dollars as far as possible.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
Eric Doden:
Knocked EPA for coercing states to shut down power plants
When Reliable Energy asked the candidates how they'd handle rising demand and anticipated supply challenges, several said they'd keep coal-powered plants open. Chambers said he'd resist U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) "pressure for premature closure of Indiana's coal-fired power plants," while Doden knocked the agency for "coerc(ing) states nationwide into shutting down local power plants."
Source: Capital Chronicle on 2024 Indiana Gubernatorial debate
Apr 30, 2024
Mark Messmer:
For climate bill compromise by industry & environmentalists
HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082 Apr 4, 2016: A bill that originally would have required "no more stringent" regulations than federal rules was vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence, despite a compromise on
the bill agreed to by both industry and environmental groups. Under the compromise on HB 1082, IDEM could propose regulations more stringent than the federal government, but would have been required to report them to the General Assembly.
The regulations would not have taken effect until the conclusion of the following legislative session.
Legislative Summary: Passed Senate 48-2-0 on Mar/1/16; Sen. Mark Messmer voted YES; Passed House 65-30-5 on Mar/3/16; vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Source: HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082
Apr 4, 2016
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026