Indiana Physicians, Public Health Experts Urge Governor To Alter Stance On Clean Air Plan

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana physicians and public health experts say Gov. Mike Pence would be irresponsible if, as he’s pledged, he opposes the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. 

The proposed regulations would call for a 20 percent reduction from Indiana’s 2005 carbon emission levels by 2030. In a letter to President Barack Obama, Pence vowed not to comply with what he calls the “ill-conceived and poorly constructed” plan, unless the EPA makes significant improvements.  But IU School of Medicine professor Steve Jay says it’s the Pence administration’s position that needs improvement.

“Their decisions have direct human consequences: suffering, disease, and death for kids and other vulnerable Hoosiers,” Jay said.

Pence says the EPA regulations will increase electricity prices, making it harder to advance the state’s manufacturing industry and taking more money out of Hoosiers’ pockets.  But Jay says the smart economic move would be embracing the Clean Power Plan.

“To reduce the pollution and thereby reduce the health impacts and the costs – enormous costs – associated with those,” he said.

The EPA is expected to release its finalized plan in August.