September 16, 2026
“For years, Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) and our allies have fought for strong protections against pollution from Indiana’s 95 coal ash disposal sites, the most of any state. Led by HEC’s Dr. Indra Frank, this work strengthened federal and state protections and thwarted industry efforts to weaken safeguards against heavy metals and other pollutants in coal ash.
Today, we can celebrate an important victory: EPA has announced its intent to approve Indiana’s coal ash rule and authorize the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to administer the program. As written, the rule provides important protections for Hoosiers and our environment.
But this victory is not guaranteed to last. A recently approved Indiana law prevents IDEM from adopting coal ash protections stronger than federal standards. If the federal government weakens those standards, as it has signaled an intent to do, Indiana could be forced to follow suit.
The Hoosier Environmental Council believes the state legislature can fix this problem. We will continue, as we have done for decades, to stand up for Hoosiers’ drinking water quality, human health, and the environment through enhanced protections for Indiana’s current coal ash oversight rules, the ones we worked so relentlessly to help become law.”
Media Contact:
Indra Frank, Coal Ash Advisor
(317) 930-1024
coalash@hecweb.org
Media Contact:
David Van Gilder, Senior Legal & Policy Director
(317) 812-1704
dvangilder@hecweb.org
About the Hoosier Environmental Council
The Hoosier Environmental Council is Indiana’s leading statewide environmental organization, working to protect clean water, clean air, healthy land, and sustainable communities through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
Categories: Environmental Justice, HEC News, News Releases