Indiana's Senate is considering a bill that makes IDEM's duty to protect Hoosiers from pollution optional. Instead, IDEM would be required to consider whether rules are too burdensome to polluters - not people. Tell your Senator to oppose SB 277: https://tinyurl.com/bd87nsfx

Plug-in solar is a small residential solar unit that can make solar more accessible. But in Indiana, it's still regulated like larger rooftop arrays. Contact your legislator to ensure SB 74, which changes how plug-in solar is regulated, gets a hearing. https://tinyurl.com/2h6k6jss

Hey HECsters! We're proud to be nonprofit sponsors of the 2026 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference on Feb. 6. Don't miss the chance to connect with other sustainability professionals, scholars, and advocates! Learn more here: https://eri.iu.edu/isrc #ISRC2026

Why should you care if your septic system is failing? 🚨 Because problems you can’t see can cost you. A failing septic system can lead to expensive repairs, health risks, and water pollution. Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Your septic system matters.

🚨Free Webinar Alert! 🚨 Join us on Wednesday, January 21st from 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM to learn about the impact that AI data centers may have, from your electric bill to water quality and availability. Register here: https://ow.ly/OFyl50XTzji

Private septic systems are temporary; they will not last forever and require regular maintenance. The lifespan of a septic system varies. Pumping your septic tank every 3-5 years is one of the best and least expensive ways to maintain it. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/2znpd4a7

There are approximately 1 million septic systems in Indiana, and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) estimates that 200,000 of these are inadequate. Take the pledge to maintain your septic system today! https://indiana.clearchoicescleanwater.org/pledges/septic/

What is a septic system? It consists of a septic tank, a distribution box, and a soil absorption system (leach field, finger system, or absorption field). The septic tank is a large container usually buried near a home that receives all of the home’s wastewater.

Whoosh! That’s the sound of the 2026 legislative session recess flying past us. Yesterday, Indiana’s legislators officially gaveled back in. Check out our new and improved bill watch page to learn about all the most important environmental bills. https://www.hecweb.org/bill-watch-2026/

Join us for a community panel on Thursday, January 8 for an AI Data Center Discussion panel at the Oasis of Hope Baptist Church in Indianapolis at 6 PM EST. Doors open at 5:30 PM. We can't wait to see you there!

Lots of eco-warriors are clad in well-worn hiking boots, but some of us prefer to peek out the window in our slippers. If that’s you, we have a new volunteer opportunity called HEC Social Media Butterflies, and you can do it on your phone. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/542mwemz

Today is the last day to double your gift and your impact for our largest-ever gift match opportunity of $150,000 from the Efroymson Family Fund. Donate safely and securely here: https://www.hecweb.org/donate/ Photo Credit: Lainey Deetz

Make your screen time count! Introducing: HEC Social (Media) Butterflies! We’re building a team of dedicated volunteers to amplify our messaging on and off social media. Job description: https://tinyurl.com/4ajpn4c3 Sign up: https://tinyurl.com/542mwemz

We're lighting the way forward for the environment in Indiana. Join the movement for a brighter future and give by 12/31, for our largest-ever gift match opportunity from the Efroymson Family Fund. Donate safely and securely here: https://www.hecweb.org/donate/ Photo: Sheila Fitzpatrick

Give by December 31st to double your gift and your impact for our largest-ever gift match opportunity of $150,000 from the Efroymson Family Fund. Donate safely and securely here: https://www.hecweb.org/donate/ Photo Credit: Lainey Deetz

HEC recently signed on to Sierra Club's open letter calling on Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft to stop fueling climate change with data center demands. Check it out here: https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2025/12/full-page-open-letter-calls-amazon-google-meta-and-microsoft-stop-fueling

Our vision is clear. With your support, we light the path forward. Thanks to the Efroymson Family Fund, your gift is doubled through 12/31 for our largest-ever gift match opportunity of $150,000. Donate safely and securely here: https://www.hecweb.org/donate/ Photo: Melanie Helmuth

What are some of the most effective actions you can make to curb climate change? We’ve listed just a few: reducing fossil fuels, eating less meat, and shopping second hand are all great starts! Visit https://tinyurl.com/3kxysbyd to learn more and take the climate change pledge!

NOTICE: The Boone County Special APC Meeting location has been updated; it will be held at Western Boone High School, 1201 N. State Road 75 Thorntown, IN 46071, today, December 17, at 7:00 PM. You may also attend virtually: https://zoom.us/j/4874385613

We envision a bright future for Indiana. With your support, we light the path forward. Thanks to the Efroymson Family Fund, your gift is doubled through December 31st for our largest-ever gift match opportunity of $150,000. https://www.hecweb.org/donate/ Photo Credit: Sheila Fitzpatrick

On Thursday, HB 1032, the redistricting bill, was defeated in the Indiana Senate. This was a major win – for our democracy, and, in turn, our environment. Thank you to everyone who reached out to their legislators to speak out against mid-decade redistricting in Indiana!

It’s hard to imagine that just one person making small changes can make a difference. Scientists have found that when one person makes a decision or action that’s sustainability-oriented, other people will follow. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3kxysbyd to learn more!

A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, and the greenhouse effect is what happens when the greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap the sun’s heat. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3kxysbyd to learn more and take the pledge to help curb climate change today!

More frequent and heavier precipitation events have many effects, including increases in the amount of surface water runoff, or stormwater, which carries pollutants, sediment, bacteria, and more to our lakes, reservoirs, streams, rivers, and oceans. https://tinyurl.com/3kxysbyd

Climate change is a shift in a region’s typical temperature or precipitation. Increases in droughts and precipitation are just a few climate change impacts here in Indiana, as well as globally. Check out https://tinyurl.com/3kxysbyd to learn more and take the pledge today!

HEC's Executive Director, Sam Carpenter, wrote an op-ed in the Indiana Capital Chronicle about how the race to build AI datacenters will cost our state in the long run. Check it out here: https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/03/racing-is-not-winning-for-indiana-data-centers/

THANK YOU for all the Giving Tuesday donations. Missed it? No sweat. Our largest ever end of year gift match of $150,000 from the Efroymson Family Fund doubles your donation through the end of this month! Give safely and securely at hecweb.org/donate and thank you!

Every gift helps HEC light a path forward on our way to a future with clean water, natural lands, pure air, and affordable clean energy for all. On this Giving Tuesday, help us reach our end of year gift match of $150,000 from the Efroymson Family Fund. https://www.hecweb.org/donate/

Our vision is clear. With your support, we can achieve our shared vision for Indiana. On this Giving Tuesday, help us reach our largest ever end of year gift match of $150,000 from the Efroymson Family Fund. Donate safely and securely here: https://www.hecweb.org/donate/ Photo: Sheila Fitzpatrick

t's Giving Tuesday - but our gift match lasts all month! Whether you give today, or the next Tuesday, or any day this month except a Tuesday, your gift will be doubled, thanks to our largest-ever gift match of $150,000 from the Efroymson Family Fund. https://www.hecweb.org/donate/

For weeks, Hoosiers have been clearly voicing their opposition to mid-decade redistricting. But just yesterday, the Indiana House announced it’s convening next week to vote on it anyway. - Statehouse rally: https://tinyurl.com/58ayz4bx - Online action form: https://tinyurl.com/3tjwdups

Here at HEC, we have so much to be thankful for - and you're at the top of our list! With you at our side, we know that we can forge an Indiana with clean water, energy, and air for all. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you, and we wish you and your loved ones a great holiday season!

For weeks, Hoosiers have been clearly voicing their opposition to mid-decade redistricting. But just yesterday, the Indiana House announced it’s convening next week to vote on it anyway. - Statehouse rally: https://tinyurl.com/58ayz4bx - Online action form: https://tinyurl.com/3tjwdups

Celebrate Small Business Saturday this Saturday, November 29th and shop local & eco-friendly gifts with HEC’s Green Business Partners for unique and high-quality body products, jewelry, drinks, ice cream, and more.

AI’s growing environmental footprint of data centers is having a moment. From fueling climate change to generating piles of electronic waste, AI has a long way to go before it can be considered beneficial. https://ow.ly/spOx50Xx4wY

We believe clean air, energy, and water for all Hoosiers is possible. With your support, we light the path forward. Give through December 31st to help us meet our largest-ever gift match opportunity of $150,000, thanks to the Efroymson Family Fund. Photo: Jeff Rasley

Many thanks to the Herbert Simon Family Foundation for the Advancing Climate Equity & Justice in Indiana grant! This funding will help us develop resources and a statewide network for environmental justice, bring more local solar and stored energy to the grid, and more!

Don't miss our immersive wetland experience this Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 3 PM EST, which is a Spirit and Place Festival event. Join us for a guided walking tour of a restored wetland, inspiring speakers, and an Indiana's wetlands photo exhibition. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/3jdnenwb

Meet Phil Stevens, one of the speakers at our November 6 webinar, "What's your AQI IQ?" from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST, co-hosted by Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future and Environmental Resilience Institute at Indiana University. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/273nrhe7

It's not too late to register - join us (virtually) tomorrow at 11:30 AM to learn about indoor and outdoor air quality from a superstar speaker panel! Register here: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/vQ4bIB8jRNuc84DlinkTgQ

Meet Janet McCabe, one of the speakers at our November 6 webinar, "What's your AQI IQ?" from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST, co-hosted by Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future and IU Environmental Resilience Institute. Register here: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/vQ4bIB8jRNuc84DlinkTgQ

Meet Nusrat Jung, an Assistant Professor at Purdue, where she studies indoor air pollutants. Learn more at our webinar, "What's your AQI IQ?" co-hosted by Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future and IU Environmental Resilience Institute on 11/6: https://tinyurl.com/bde8hvbm

🐸 🦎🍂 Join us for an evening of wetland wonderment! You're invited to a free, immersive experience that brings the magic of wetlands to life on Tuesday, November 11, from 3 to 7 PM ET. This is a Spirit & Place Festival event. Learn more at: https://secure.everyaction.com/JXSDR-f4m0KEwaT6u7Ou-g2

HEC encourages all Hoosiers to take advantage of every opportunity to voice their concerns or opinions about the redistricting push in Indiana. https://ow.ly/xk8S50Xl4V5

Meet Jocelyn Keranen, HEC's Director of Environmental Health, and a speaker for our webinar, "What's your Air Quality Index IQ?" Join HEC, Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future, and IU Environmental Resilience Institute on 11/6 from 11:30 to 1:00 EST. https://tinyurl.com/bde8hvbm

Introducing: Gabe Filippelli, the executive director of IU Environmental Resilience Institute. He’ll participate in our upcoming webinar, “What’s your AQI IQ?” Join us on 11/6 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST to hear Gabe's take on air quality. Register here:https://tinyurl.com/bde8hvbm

Meet Brandon Boor, a Civil and Construction Engineering professor at Purdue University, and a speaker at our upcoming webinar, "What’s your AQI IQ?" Join us on 11/6 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST to hear about Brandon's research on the indoor air quality. https://tinyurl.com/bde8hvbm

Meet Heidi Beidinger, Professor of the Practice at Eck Institute for Global Health, and a speaker for our webinar, "What's your Air Quality Index IQ?" Join HEC, Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future, and IU Environmental Resilience Institute on 11/6 from 11:30 to 1:00 EST.

📣Webinar alert! Join HEC and Purdue University's Institute for a Sustainable Future for a free 90-minute lunchtime webinar about what to know and what to do to improve indoor air quality and your health. Register here: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/vQ4bIB8jRNuc84DlinkTgQ#/registration

Join the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water and Hoosier Environmental Council virtually or in person on 11/12 to gain insight into the current state of Indiana's water supply, source water protection, and more. Learn more and register here: https://tinyurl.com/3k92a453