Charles and Denise Odell

“We support the efforts of the Hoosier Environmental Council because we believe the most effective way to achieve change and make progress in relation to the environment is through organizations like HEC who have staff who are educated and trained to understand the complex issues and know how to approach the rule makers to effect change.”

We have lived in Washington, Indiana, for our entire fifty years of marriage. We enjoy traveling, birding, hiking and visiting our state and national parks and recreation areas. We have a passion for music, theater and the arts, antiques and all things “old.”

We live within a few miles of a major coal fired power plant at Petersburg and one of Indiana’s 86 coal ash pits (the most of any state) near Wheatland. HEC’s efforts to modify and control these polluters favorably impacts not only our community, but many similar communities across Indiana.

Our largest environmental concern for the world is climate change, and its causes and ramifications. Nationally we see our country flip-flop on environmental management as the political climate changes. In Indiana, we are aghast at the lack of oversight and protections not being afforded coal ash pits; lack of state concern for recycling; how wetland protections have been downgraded; and the resistance of communities to accept responsibility for proper sewer management.