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In This Issue
Register for Annual Forum
Take Action for IN Amtrak Funding
HEC Working to Advance Environmental Justice
Retrofit & Renewables Webinar
Paving the Way for More Transit Options
We need your help to continue our work on Green Energy, Sustainable Agriculture and 21st Century Transportation legislation.  Donate Now!

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HEC's Annual Greening the Statehouse Forum

Save the Date for the 6th Annual Greening the Statehouse forum on Saturday, November 16th at the IUPUI Campus Center!  This year, we will be designing a program - in conjunction with IndyTalks - focused on how to advocate for your child's health and safety.   

Register today and take advantage of our early bird discount. More details will be coming soon, so stay tuned for updates!
Keeping Passenger Rail on Track - Fate of Amtrak Service Depends on Gov. Pence
 
Time is winding down on the state's opportunity to invest in critically-important transportation infrastructure: the Chicago to Indianapolis passenger rail service. This October, federal funding will end for Amtrak's short distance routes including the Hoosier State that operates four days a week between the two cities. Our neighbor states of Michigan and Illinois have maintained and improved their Amtrak routes to great success. If Indiana follows suit, our improved Hoosier state line would provide an attractive and affordable travel option for business people, students, and families, while creating jobs and new economic opportunities in Indiana.  

 

Please visit our action center and send a personal message to Governor Pence, urging that Indiana invest in modern passenger rail now!  

HEC Working to Advance Environmental Justice in Toxic Hotspot 
  
Minority and low-income populations in northern Lake County face disproportionate environmental burdens and related health risks from the extreme concentration of polluting industries in the area. In addition to historic, discriminatory land use practices, this environmental injustice is due, in large part, because these disadvantaged residents are effectively financially prohibited from participating in government decision-making that impacts their health, environment and quality of life.
  
To address these systemic challenges, HEC is embarking on a pilot project to demonstrate that disadvantaged citizens can participate, meaningfully, in zoning, land-use and environmental decisions with affordable access to technical and legal assistance. The pilot project will serve, subject to continued support, as a foundation for designing a program for providing Lake County's over-burdened communities with the resources they need over the long-term to solve the critical environmental challenges they face.

Watch our environmental justice webinar for more information.  
Sign Up for Our 'Retrofit and Renewables' Webinar on August 29th!
 
If you're a small business owner, an employee at a company that is open-minded to green practices or simply passionate about bringing more clean energy to Indiana, please join us for our Retrofits and Renewables webinar from 12-1 pm EST on Thursday, August 29.  It's an opportunity to learn about ways to reduce the cost of installing renewable energy and make energy-efficient improvements much more affordable. In addition to learning about an array of existing incentives, you'll learn from experts about an innovative program - PACE - that HEC and our partners are trying to bring to Indiana.  PACE, which is available in all Midwestern states but Indiana, allows business owners large and small to get the upfront money they need to invest in clean energy.  It's very easy to register for our webinars and they last less than an hour, so please join us! 
Promoting Mass Transit for Hoosiers - Transit Funding and Plans Revisited  

State legislators are resuming consideration of mass transit during study committees this summer. The IndyConnect plan will be reviewed by the Central Indiana Transit Study Committee, chaired by Sen. Patricia Miller (R-Indianapolis). Also, new details on the rapid transit corridors in the IndyConnect plan will be discussed at a series of public meetings beginning on August 6. Please visit HEC's calendar of events for more information on these meetings. 

 

Future plans for northwest Indiana's South Shore railroad will be discussed by another study committee chaired by Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso). Study committee schedules are posted here.

 

HEC and its partners in the Indiana Citizens' Alliance for Transit will continue to support new legislation that allows voters to choose if the IndyConnect plan is funded and goes forward. 

Just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you signed up for our e-newsletter or expressed an interest in the Hoosier Environmental Council through a meeting or event. We hope that you'll appreciate staying in touch with us through monthly e-newsletters, and occasional calls to action. In return, we promise to keep you informed about the environmental happenings in Indiana. Rest assured, we're protective of your personal information and your time. Be sure to add [email protected] to your address book so we'll land in your inbox!