Issue Position: Water Quality

Issue Position

Affordable electricity is a key to America's economic recovery and coal is an integral part of Indiana's economy. But, we must protect those working in the coal burning industries, as well as the quality of our air and water in those communities and throughout Indiana. It is well established that burning coal releases carbon dioxide and dangerous pollutants that can lead to heart and respiratory illness. In fact, the U.S. spends $167 billion in health costs related to US power plant pollution each year. Yet, Congress's record of inaction on energy policy is blocking our ability to address either these environmental problems or our country's long-term energy challenges. It is time to move beyond the politics of climate change to real progress. We should not lower EPA air and water quality standards because those standards will help us reduce greenhouse emissions and protect the public. Lowering the standards of air and water quality de-incentivizes the coal and utility industry from investing in green energy alternatives, and Hoosiers pay the price in increased healthcare costs and poorer air and water quality.

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