HEC Files Landmark Lawsuit; Register for Greening the Statehouse; New Initiatives

Working to make Indiana a better place to live, breathe, work, and play.

The Hoosier Environmental Council is Indiana's leading educator and advocate for the environment.

HEC October E-News

In this issue: HEC files lawsuit challenging Indiana's unprecedented protections for factory farms; just three days left to get the "Early Bird" special for Greening the Statehouse; new initiative to tackle soot pollution; the Mounds Greenway proposal gaining steam; a shout out to new green biz supporters

Suit Filed to Challenge Indiana's Unjust Right to Farm Laws

Indiana's Right to Farm Act (RTFA) was passed in the early 80's to prevent urban transplants into rural areas from suing existing farmers due to typical farm odors. Today the RTFA serves only to protect the interests of corporate conglomerates and prevents long-time rural residents, including traditional farmers, from protecting their homes and families when a massive factory farm moves in next door. In addition, Indiana lawmakers passed a second "right to farm" law in 2014 that requires regulators and courts to "construe" state law so as not to interfere with the industry's "right" to use its preferred "livestock production practices," including the use of factory farms. No other industry or business in the state enjoys these kinds of protections that serve the industry's special economic interests.

"Right to farm" laws enable factory farm owners to contaminate our waterways & air. Such laws also trample on the equal protection, due process and property rights of so many of our fellow Hoosiers. Due to these latter concerns, HEC filed a lawsuit this week to challenge the laws' constitutionality. HEC filed the court action on behalf of two long-time rural families of Hendricks County whose quality of life and property values have been greatly diminished by the noxious odors and air emissions from a newly built factory farm with 8,000 hogs. To learn more about the case and how you can help, please click here.

Only Three Days Left to Get Early Bird Discount for "Greening the Statehouse"!

This year's premier event for environmental advocates will feature engaging panel discussions on the impact of our food system on our water, on urban sustainability solutions, and on how Indiana can be a leader on climate change. Join in and register now for the 8th Annual Greening the Statehouse! It's your chance to hear engaging, informative discussions on these issues and interact with other Hoosiers who want a greener future for our state. This is also your chance to network with many green-minded organizations and businesses over a light breakfast and lunch, included in your ticket price.

WHEN: Saturday, November 14

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

(Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.)

WHERE: University of Indianapolis

Schwitzer Student Center

1400 Campus Drive, Indianapolis

Only through October 18, we are offering early bird discounted tickets: only $5 for students and $15 for regular. After October 18, tickets will be $10 for students and $25 for regular. A limited number of tickets are available, so buy your tickets TODAY!

Thank you to the following Green Business sponsors of Greening the Statehouse:

HEC & ALA Unveil Novel Program to Address Soot Pollution

Imagine if you lived 24 hours a day, 7 days a week next to smoky air, full of soot and harmful chemicals. It's a reality for some people in Indiana, due to poorly functioning Outdoor Wood Boilers (OWBs), which are intended to provide home heating. HEC's experience with people who have suffered from OWB smoke has propelled us to advance a new initiative to replace Indiana's dirtiest OWBs with clean, renewable energy. The initiative will be administered by the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, overseen by HEC, and supported by four public interest partners.

Learn more about OWBs, this new initiative, and our partners here!

HEC, Partners Gain Momentum for Mounds Greenway

The Mounds Greenway continues to gain support in the wake of two critical anti-Mounds reservoir votes by Daleville and Yorktown town officials. In mid-September the Daleville Town Council unanimously rejected the proposed Mounds Lake Commission ordinance, and a week later the Yorktown Town Council voted overwhelmingly not to participate in the reservoir commission. With support for the reservoir waning, more and more Indiana residents and officials are expressing interest in the Mounds Greenway plan.

To move the Greenway project forward, HEC is commissioning an economic impact study and expanding our community outreach. Learn how you can support the Mounds Greenway initiative here and follow Greenway news on Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome, New HEC Green Business Supporters!

Thank you to our newest HEC Green Business Supporters! We encourage you to support those green businesses that share in our mission to make Indiana a better place to live, breathe, work and play!

emPowering Progress

MPI Solar (Bloomington)

Get on the Bus

The National Bank of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)

Interested in learning how to become an HEC Green Business? Learn more here.

Hoosier Environmental Council | (317) 685 - 8800 | comments@hecweb.org | www.hecweb.org

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