Sierra Club Targets Donnelly On Clean Power Plan

INDIANAPOLIS -- Environmental group the Sierra Club will launch digital and print ads this weekend pushing Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly to oppose legislation curtailing the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Clean Power Plan. He is being targeted as a potential swing vote in the Senate.

The Clean Power Plan calls for a 20 percent reduction by 2030 from Indiana’s 2005 carbon emission levels. Critics charge the plan ignores cost concerns from utilities and businesses and constitutes federal overreach by the EPA.  Sierra Club spokesperson Jodi Perras says the ads call on Donnelly to stand up to what they call an “extreme attack” on protections from pollution.

“We hope that it will have the impact of getting Hoosiers to call into his office and contact them and tell them how important it is that he not side with the extremists and that he support clean energy and our health,” Perras said.

Donnelly says he’s undecided on the issue.

“We want to be in a place where our children are able to live in a place with clean air, clean water," Donnelly said. "At the same time, we want to make sure that jobs-wise, we are able to provide a balance on this.”

When asked if the ad campaign will weigh into his decision, Donnelly says the only criteria he’ll consider is what’s best for Hoosier families.