Group rallies against environmental rules bill at Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A rally at the Indiana Statehouse Monday urged lawmakers not to pass a new environmental law.

Monday’s event was held to draw attention to what some consider problems with House Bill 1082.

If passed, the bill would prevent local environmental rules boards from adopting stricter rules than ones already set by the federal government.

“One of the rules, the federal rules that are lacking, is actually the federal rule on lead and copper in drinking water,” Indra Frank, who attended the rally, explained. “Under that rule, once lead has been detected in water, that water can continue to be delivered to homes and businesses for months or even years while they sort through the process.”

HB 1082 opponents say the bill would take away a city’s right to pass rules to avoid problems like those going on right now in Flint, Michigan.