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2011 Legislative Session

2010 Legislative Report

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Legislature's web site

Indiana Chapter Calendar

Dec 1
5th Annual Greening the Statehouse Forum

Jan 23
Statehouse Conservation Day 2013

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Legislation & Other Actions

Take Action!
Be part of the solution. Here are easy ways for you to express your views on important legislation about conservation and the environment.

By the People, For the People
Let your lawmakers hear from you

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Working to Keep Indiana Green!

In The News

Ratepayers oppose paying for Duke's cost overruns

According to our recent poll in Indiana, Duke Energy ratepayers strongly oppose paying for cost overruns at the Edwardsport coal gasification plant. In contrast, ratepayers express strong support for expanding the use of renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy, in Indiana, and they want Indiana utility companies to invest more in wind power. Read more about our poll here. Also, read our new report “The Edwardsport IGCC Plant: a monument to cost overruns, concealment, mismanagement and malfeasance”

Bowden Quinn: Cherish the River

Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter's Conservation Director, Bowden Quinn, writes in the September issue of Indiana Living Green magazine about the importance of the our White River. Althought water quality progress is being made, says Quinn, "For the most part the river is still a neglected resource in Indianapolis. Click to see the article (on page 21) and the magazine online.

"The Road to Ruin"

Indianapolis Monthly magazine published Philip Gulley's essay on the extension of I-69 through southern Indiana in its August issue. "I would never in a million years ask a man to surrender his family farm to save me a handful of minutes on my journey from Indianapolis to Evansville..." writes Gulley. Take a look at the article.

Clean Water Act violations rising, seldom punished

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette published an impotant article in August. Take a look. "Enforcing clean water: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says 73 percent of Indiana facilities with permits under the Clean Water Act broke that law in 2009. But of those 1,194 violators, only 400 faced any kind of enforcement actions. And of those, none paid any financial penalties that year, according to the agency."

Hoosier generates his own power

Marvin Bartel's two solar collectors not only provide him with all of his own electricity, they also provide him with extra income. His excess energy is sold back to the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. at the end of every month through the company's tariff buy-back program. The Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter collaborated with the NIPSCO clean energy initiative. Read about Marvin Bartel's project in the Elkhart Truth.

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Top Stories from the Indiana Chapter

"Donor Opportunities" published by Chapter
A summary of options for financial donors is now available for online review. The fact-sheet reviews various funds that prospective donors might consider in contributing to the work of Sierra Club in Indiana. Click the above link for more information.

Asian hooded crane spotted in Indiana
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says a hooded crane was first spotted Tuesday at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area about 40 miles west of Bloomington. By Wednesday, more than 100 bird enthusiasts from as far away as Minnesota, West Virginia and Nebraska had visited.

Help Indiana's Wildlife - Prohibit Fox and Coyote Penning
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) continues to vacillate on the issue of prohibiting fox and coyote penning in Indiana. Why? "Killing pens" are cruel and inhumane, with no sense of the fair play that every true sportsman believes in. Take action now!

Citizen Advocacy 101
Are you hesitant to talk with your elected officials? Do you worry about making your point and effectively sharing your views? If so, these pointers and resources from the Nature Conservancy may help.

Why children in southwest Indiana are surrounded by toxins
There are two industries in Rockport, Indiana, that release 30 million pounds of toxic chemicals into the environment. A report considers the serious consequences this has on its residents, particularly children.

Make Healthy Choices for Healthy Oceans
Don't dine out or shop for seafood without the Monterey Bay Aquarium's seafood guide! Available free on their website, take these free printable pocket guides to the market or restaurant to make eco-friendly choices.

Forbes Ranks Indiana 49th out of 50
Forbes Magazine recently published its list of "America's Greenest States." Indiana ranked at the bottom, 49th out of 50, only ahead of West Virginia which is closely tied to the coal industry. Tell your lawmakers that a good environment and a good economy go hand-in-hand.

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