“Indiana’s Climate Action Plan Denied Funding: What’s Next for the State’s Environmental Efforts?”

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Priority Climate Action Plan, which aimed to expand renewable energy generation and increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads, faced a setback when the Environmental Protection Agency denied the state’s grant request for over $195 million. Out of nearly 300 applications, Indiana was one of only 10 states that did not receive funding from the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.

The denial of funding has left environmental advocates concerned about how the state will finance its climate change initiatives. The Hoosier Environmental Council’s executive director, Sam Carpenter, described the funding as “absolutely critical” and expressed worries about the state’s ability to implement its projects without the EPA grant.

Indiana’s climate action plan aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 3 million metric tons by 2050. In contrast, the 25 projects selected by the EPA are projected to reduce greenhouse gases by 38.8 million tons each on average. The selected projects in other states include expanding transportation services in Austin, Texas, building a geothermal system in New Haven, Connecticut, and planting trees in New Orleans to reduce heat.

The lack of funding for Indiana’s climate initiatives highlights the state’s historical reluctance to allocate tax dollars for environmental measures. The state’s Republican supermajority in the legislature has also been hesitant to support climate action, with the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee rejecting legislation to create a climate solutions task force.

Environmental advocates like Sean Mobley from The Nature Conservancy of Indiana emphasize the importance of state lawmakers prioritizing environmental policies and providing support for climate action initiatives. Indiana’s lag in climate action underscores the need for more ambitious plans and greater commitment from state officials to address the challenges of climate change.