A Legislative Session of Opportunity and Great Challenge        

On January 7th, the Indiana General Assembly reconvened. HEC is working hard, on your behalf, to win bi-partisan support for legislative initiatives. Read our legislative agenda, and watch and share this video. As much as HEC is about advancing solutions, we are equally focused on monitoring a number of bills that would threaten air and water quality.  

HEC Releases its Second Quarter Dashboard on our Progress     

Last fall, we unveiled our first-ever Dashboard, a way for you, our supporters, to keep track of HEC's progress towards its annual goals. We pledged to you all that we would update everyone quarterly, and here's our second quarter update.  

Don't hesitate to write us with your feedback at mbrock@hecweb.org. 

HEC and Partners Convince IDEM to Take Closer Look at the Enbridge Pipeline Project  
 

(photo credit: NRDC)

Enbridge Energy wants to build an oil pipeline through 145 wetlands and 82 water bodies in the Indiana portion of the Lake Michigan watershed to transport 500,000 barrels per day of diluted bitumen, or "tar sands oil."  HEC and our partners are concerned about the company's very troubling track record. Most notably, the 2010 Enbridge pipeline spill which contaminated 34 miles of the Kalamazoo River. The subsequent investigation revealed that Enbridge knew of the problem for years but failed to take corrective action. A similar spill in the Lake Michigan watershed would cause tremendous damage to our natural habitats and could threaten our drinking water supplies and economic sectors dependent on our waters. Consequently, HEC submitted legal and technical comments to IDEM on behalf of our partners detailing the project's legal deficiencies and urging IDEM to impose conditions as part of its certification to ensure every precaution is taken to protect the people and natural resources of Northwest Indiana. After hearing our concerns, we are pleased to learn that the project has been delayed until spring while IDEM takes a closer look.

Plan to attend Conservation Day at the Statehouse on January 23rd  
 

Sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Alliance, Conservation Day is a great opportunity for citizens throughout Indiana to meet one on one with their state legislators and discuss priority conservation issues. For 2013, these conservation priorities include increased funding for the Indiana Heritage Trust, the Bicentennial Nature Trust, and Clean Water Indiana; support for legislation requiring retailers and lawn care services to educate consumers about lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus; opposition to legislation legalizing shooting of captive deer; and support for legislation to expand public transit in central Indiana. Registration is free -- sign up today!

Support Indy Connect Now Legislation and Help Put Transit on the Ballot in 2013   

Please contact your state representative and ask him or her to support House Bill 1011, introduced by State Representatives Torr, Kirchhofer, Porter and Pryor. HB 1011 would improve and expand public transit in central Indiana by allowing, upon the approval of local voters in a referendum: