Bill puts restrictions on environmental standards

A controversial environmental bill passed through an Indiana House of Representatives committee Wednesday.
House Bill 1143 prohibits the environmental rules board from adopting any standard that is more stringent than the corresponding federal law or regulation.
H.B. 1143 is a response to concerns that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is too aggressive in some regulation.
This bill is part of legislation that has faced bipartisan opposition for more than 20 years, according to a press release.  
It passed the Committee on Environmental Affairs nine to three. The bill was authored by Rep. David Wolkins, R-Winona Lake, who is chair of Environmental Affairs.
Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, voted against the bill.
The Hoosier Environmental Council, which opposed the bill, released a statement condemning the possible effects on Indiana.
“By stripping away the power of Indiana’s executive branch to tackle environmental problems inadequately addressed by the feds, Indiana likely becomes more dependent on the federal government, rather than less,” Jesse Kharbanda, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, said in the release.
Opponents have recalled the crisis in West Virginia, where a chemical leak infiltrated drinking water, as something Indiana would be more vulnerable to if H.B. 1143 passes.
Wolkins is willing to amend the bill to make exceptions for emergency situations, according to the press release.
The bill is now eligible for amendments on the House floor.  

— Rebecca Kimberly