INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Limiting Indiana to federal environmental rules will mean more certainty for the state’s businesses, said Gov Mike Braun after he signed two executive orders Wednesday.
One executive order prohibits the state from using environmental justice standards, such as considering race, ethnicity, educational attainment or other factors, when making permitting, enforcement or grant decisions. The other prevents the state from enacting any environmental rules or regulations beyond those imposed by the federal government unless required by state law, or deemed necessary by the governor’s office.
Braun said environmental policy should be based solely on science and should balance the needs of conservation with those of farmers and economic development. He cited concerns surrounding overregulation.
“I would never want to be in a place or want to be part of where we weren’t maintaining what we’ve done over the past 50 years. In fact, we need to do better when it comes to ag runoff,” he said. “We’re going to get the benefit of both worlds here with this executive order.”
Braun’s orders direct the state to review its environmental regulations and determine whether any rules beyond those required by the federal government are necessary.
Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend, decried the executive orders, saying that the federal government doesn’t understand Indiana better than the state legislature.
“Deferring Indiana’s clean water and air regulations to Washington D.C. contradicts the principles once championed by the state’s Republican leadership,” Bauer said in a press release. “Before Gov. Braun became a D.C. politician, he served in the state legislature, where he understood that we – not Washington, D.C. – know what is best for our communities.”
Then, Bauer pointed out that the executive laws accomplish no meaningful change, as Indiana already has laws prohibiting environmental regulations beyond the federal minimum.
“I would also remind Governor Braun that Indiana already has a ‘no more stringent than’ law, making EO 25-37 redundant. Meanwhile, HB 1037, which prevents local governments from enacting stronger stormwater management policies, is currently moving through the Indiana General Assembly, further limiting local rule. The opposition to ‘environmental justice’ is, in reality, resistance to righting the wrongs that have persisted due to weak environmental regulation …” Bauer said.