Hoosiers looking for a clear path to greener pastures may find it in the form of Executive Orders just signed by Governor Mike Braun. According to a press release from the State of Indiana's official event page, Governor Braun has passed two significant orders squarely aiming to balance environmental conservation with economic growth in Indiana. One such order, Executive Order 25-38, is set to simplify regulations, using federal benchmarks as the new state standard.
The order commands to make federal environmental statutes such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act the yardstick for Indiana, stipulating the state will not voluntarily adopt regulations more stringent unless state law requires it or the Governor's office deems it necessary to address distinct local issues. Critics have started lining up to question the move, concerned that it might not go far enough to address Indiana-specific environmental challenges. However, supporters laud it as a method to potentially quickly boost to the state's economy by offering businesses clear and predictable regulatory parameters.
As stated by Governor Braun in the press release, "We can protect our environment and grow our economy, and the federal standards of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act are an appropriate baseline to strike that balance." He went on to claim that adherence to known federal standards would encourage new business investments in Indiana, maximizing both development and environmental health.
These Executive Orders arguably serve to not only trim down the often dense regulatory underbrush but also to affirm the Governor's office as a deciding factor in the creation of future environmental regulations. This could potentially create a bottleneck or expedite regulation adjustment, depending on how the office wields this power. The complexity of environmental issues in Indiana, with its varied geographical and industrial landscape, may yet to put the new orders to the test, as policy now has to more closely reflect a uniform federal outline, instead of being tailored solely to the state's needs.
