Update 2/8/2024: IDEM has updated its draft Priority Climate Action Plan to include actions such as renewable energy, urban canopy, and building efficiency/electrification thanks to important stakeholder feedback.
HEC’s Priorities and Background:
IDEM received $3 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to form a plan to address climate pollution, which will open $4.6 billion nationally for plan implementation this coming spring. We want to ensure Indiana’s Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP):
- Prioritizes a long-term reduction in GHG emissions, including programs that support renewable energy, electrification, and energy efficiency projects making the largest impact on Indiana’s current GHG emissions
- Builds climate resiliency in low-income and disadvantaged communities, which means robust public engagement with communities at the center
- Expands workforce development programs that prepare Hoosiers to take full advantage of new clean energy jobs
- Includes natural forms of carbon sequestration, such as urban canopies, green spaces, native plantings along state roads and highways, protecting and restoring our wetlands and woodlands, and supporting cover crops on Hoosier farm fields
- Supports alternative transportation, including local and regional public transit and walkable and bikeable communities
- Supports local communities ready to use this funding towards existing local climate action programs and projects
Read HEC’s full public comments to IDEM here
Take the Survey: CLOSED
We need IDEM to hear from YOU. Complete the state survey by 11/29/23 to submit your priorities and advocate for more community engagement.
Every priority action in Indiana’s PCAP should produce multiple community benefits that improve quality of life and resiliency for many years to come such as:
- Reducing emissions to prevent future climate change
- Improving outdoor and indoor air quality
- Improving public health
- Increasing Hoosier jobs
- Increasing and enhancing green spaces
- Reducing energy bills
- Improving transportation options
The most impactful and sustainable actions to achieve the benefits above come through:
- Utility and small-scale renewable energy and battery storage
- Electrification of homes, buildings, industry, and transportation
- Diverting organic waste from landfills: composting
- Urban and rural green spaces: parks, wetlands, and forests
- Agricultural best practices: cover crops
Additional comments to add:
- The priority actions above should be carried out by funding local communities and schools to get on-the-ground pollution and emissions benefits now.
- Host more public input meetings and increase meaningful engagement opportunities.
- Prioritize actions that reduce total emissions and pollution from start to end including creation, use, and disposal.
Survey Links
IDEM’s survey in English
