General Assembly, governor bypass green reforms
Indiana environmental advocates had lots of disappointments this year regarding government reform efforts.
Environmental Policy
Articles
A cap on cap and trade?
On May 15, the Wall Street Journal published a letter from Gov. Mitch Daniels laying out his sharp opposition to the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would set limits on carbon emissions to combat global warming.
Local trust working toward 2,010 acres by end of 2010
The Central Indiana Land Trust anticipates bringing nearly 800 acres valuable to conservation under its protection this year,
thanks to a generous tax incentive for property owners.
EPA policies cannot force economic choices
We are at a critical moment in environmental policy. We suffer a dearth of frankness on the matter that imperils the quality
of our decision-making.
Elkhart’s industries could be transformed to focus on energy conservation and environmental improvements
Elkhart’s industries should shift to producing mass transit vehicles and manufactured housing for low-income, high-density neighborhoods.
Law targeting controversial landfill only fuels fight
Even for those with
a vested interest in the battle over a proposed landfill near Anderson, it’s hard to get too worked up over the latest twist
before the courts or government agencies. After all, the Mallard Lake Landfill battle is in its 29th year.
Developers fear stricter IDEM cleanup rules
State environmental regulators are catching an earful for what some businesses complain is a rush to aggressive new rules
for remediating land contamination. Developers worry the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s proposals, which
could require comprehensive site cleanup, will discourage brownfield redevelopment, especially the reuse of tainted-but-valuable
land in urban areas.
Land trusts find foothold in Indiana
In an effort to preserve Indiana woodlands , some property owners are transferring development rights to Central Indiana Land
Trust Inc., a not-for-profit environmental group. Owners can grant a so-called conservation easement in exchange for an impressive
array of tax benefits.
Consumers wary of ‘greenwashing’ by companies
With the gospel of global warming raising the call for “green-ness” to a near-hysterical pitch, there’s a growing sense that
creating an earth-friendly image will bring companies a strategic advantage. Yet the contradictions between what companies
do day in and day out and what they do to improve the environment can create a marketing minefield.