Indiana must lead the way in promoting projects that do not harm public health – Chicago Tribune

Something is very wrong in Indiana. Indiana has left the majority of its people behind as a result of misguided environmental policies. According to a recently released Northeast-Midwest Institute report, Indiana ranks last in the Midwest for protecting vulnerable communities. Cities like Gary, East Chicago, and Hammond have had and continue to have problems. Due to historically high levels of pollution from heavy industry, people in the area are experiencing elevated levels of ailments such as cancer and respiratory diseases due to the toxic air that everyone breathes on a daily basis. is at the mercy of state agencies that grapple with outdated regulations but are in charge of pollution control and an industry that has long been indifferent to the needs of those affected.

Black and brown communities like Gary and East Chicago continue to be seen as dumping grounds and “victim zones” by polluting industries. Not surprisingly, Gary and East Chicago have been designated as an Environmental Justice Community by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Environmental justice focuses on the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in the formulation, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies, regardless of race, color, national origin or income. I’m here.

Of course, there are solutions to the problems facing Indiana. It will begin to deal with the harm caused by excessive industrial pollution. According to his 2020 report published by the Indiana Institute of Public Policy, changes must be made at the legislative level to ensure people are protected. Some key recommendations include requiring cities to consider the cumulative environmental health impacts of development plans, allowing everyone to have a say in decision-making, Do not include planning your truck route.

Changes can also occur at the local level. City officials can decide not to bring more pollution to the EJ community and instead move towards responsible development. They can support policies that remediate negative impacts and advance sustainable, collaborative and regenerative policies that uphold the rights of all people, regardless of race, gender or economic status. .

Cities like Gary can be rebuilt with a trained construction workforce. Hundreds of new jobs can be created by building clinics that serve specific needs. New schools, solid housing developments, small business incubators, urban farms, entertainment and recreational facilities can replace polluting industries such as trucking and waste and fuel biorefineries.

Citizens can oppose potentially polluting industries such as Fulcrum Bioenergy, which is proposing to build a garbage-to-jet fuel biorefinery on Gary’s lakefront. According to his EJ screen at the EPA, the project will affect his 35,000 people who are already breathing oversaturated air from steel plants and trucking operations.

Citizens’ group Gary Advocate for Responsible Development (GARD) recently filed a petition with the Office of Environmental Adjudication (OEA) challenging Fulcrum’s aviation permit on the grounds that the application was based on improper calculations. submitted. Fulcrum can’t back up the process with facts, but we’re just asking the people at Gary to “trust us.”

GARD believes that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) should revoke the company’s permit until Fulcrum provides more complete information.

Public opposition to such projects is very important. People have historically been left out of big business decisions. However, citizens have the right and duty to have an active say in economic development decisions that affect the health and well-being of their citizens.

we are at a crossroads. Indiana’s political leadership is competing to be the top professional business state in the nation. The future of Indiana will be determined by the decisions we make with the people in mind. People cannot continue to allow Indiana to go down the wrong path. The time has come for education and action.

Carolyn McCrady is a Miller resident and member of Gary Advocates for Responsible Development.