Experts Warn EPA Rollback Could Harm Indiana’s Air and Water
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed getting rid of a rule that’s been in place since 2009. That rule gave the EPA the power to limit greenhouse gas emissions. from cars and trucks. Greenhouse gases are the pollutants known to cause climate change.
What the EPA Is Proposing
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright shared the news from a lectern set up inside an Indiana trucking facility, while he and other officials were adamant that the changes would have no ill effects on air or water quality. Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita were both in attendance.
Indiana Leaders Show Support During Local Announcement
The head of the EPA, Lee Zeldin, claims that the agency never had the power to implement that rule in the first place, and he says that ending the rule will lead to cheaper cars, energy bills, and products.
Supporters of the move, including those within Donald Trump's administration, say the proposed change is about freedom, cutting costs, and limiting government overreach.
Experts Sound the Alarm Over Environmental Impact
However, scientists and environmental experts, as well as some Democrats, say the proposed change will make air pollution worse while harming public health and slowing progress toward cleaner, cheaper energy. Those in opposition to the change believe it’s being done to benefit oil and gas companies.
Indiana’s Troubling Air and Water Stats
The Indiana Chronicle shared Rokita's claim at the event that Indiana has "the cleanest air, the cleanest water." However, it's worth noting that in its 26th Annual “State of the Air” report, the American Lung Association ranks Indiana among the worst in the nation for air pollution.
Residents are being exposed to more unhealthy ozone smog and particle pollution the report finds. In fact, the Indianapolis metro area ranks as the 54th worst in the nation for ozone pollution with 5 unhealthy days per year and ranks as the 21st worst in the nation for particle pollution with 9.8 unhealthy days per year.- American Lung Association
Who Will Be Affected Most by the Rollback?
Weakening EPA rules could increase vehicle emissions, which can contribute to respiratory issues like asthma, as well as heart disease and other health problems. The proposed changes would impact low-income and urban communities the hardest, where air quality is already worse.
READ MORE: The Most Polluted River in the U.S. Runs Through Indiana
As for Indiana's water, a 2022 report by the Environmental Integrity Project revealed that Indiana had the most polluted waterways in the country. According to NPR's breakdown of that report, most Hoosier waterways are unfit for swimming, and none of them are safe to drink from.
Indiana has the most miles of rivers and streams deemed too polluted to swim in of any state. Almost all Indiana's lakes and reservoirs sampled are unfit for drinking water, putting more pressure on the state’s water utilities to remove harmful bacteria like E.coli and toxic algae - NPR.
What Happens Next: Legal Challenges Likely
Legal battles are likely, as some states and environmental groups plan to sue to stop the rollback.
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Gallery Credit: Travis Sams