ENERGY/
ENVIRONMENT

The IMA supports protection of Indiana manufacturers against burdensome government regulations.

The majority of manufacturers take their responsibility for environmental stewardship very seriously. This is manifested in a commitment to regulatory compliance, management systems and pollution prevention. It is vital to maintain a competitive regulatory system by ensuring manufacturers are not overrun with costly and burdensome regulations.

Clarify Definition of PFAS 

Indiana code defines PFAS in Title 36 as it pertains to firefighting gear and firefighting agents, but there are no other definitions of PFAS in code. However, with the discussions at the federal level and the EPA’s goal to define PFAS and add additional chemicals to the hazardous substance list, the IMA and other industry stakeholders are working to provide clarity for manufacturers in the interim by adding a definition of PFAS that is industry-friendly to Title 13. The EPA has pushed their deadline back multiple times on handing down their proposed definition of PFAS, and the IMA wants to ensure manufacturers have clarity in their Indiana operations. The IMA supports a definition for PFAS that is scientifically sound and avoids overly broad classifications that could lead to unnecessary litigation or product bans.

Modernize Title 13 

The IMA supports the modernization of Indiana Code Title 13 to streamline the regulatory process and reflect the current technological landscape of modern manufacturing. Much of the state’s environmental code was written decades ago; updating these statutes is essential to eliminate redundancies, clarify ambiguous language, and expedite the permitting process. By modernizing Title 13, Indiana can maintain high environmental standards while reducing the "red tape" that often delays capital investment and facility expansions. The IMA advocates for a regulatory framework that prioritizes results and compliance over rigid, outdated administrative hurdles.

Protect Against Regulatory Overreach

The IMA remains vigilant against the implementation of state regulations that exceed federal standards without a clear, evidence-based justification. Over-regulation creates an uneven playing field for Indiana manufacturers in the global market. The IMA supports policies that require rigorous cost-benefit analyses for any proposed environmental rule changes, ensuring that the economic impact on the manufacturing sector is fully understood before new mandates are imposed.

Maintain Energy Cost Controls in Utility Regulation 

Scheme and Make Reliability a Top Priority

The demand for reliable electric power in Indiana is on the rise. New consumers, such as data centers and microchip manufacturers, will be entering the market in the near term and policymakers must make critical decisions about the resources that are used in generation. Indiana’s manufacturers are among the biggest utility customers and unnecessary government regulation and mandates can have the effect of driving up the costs. The IMA supports long-term, market-driven energy resource management that is free from government mandates and takes into account the ever changing energy mix. In simple terms, this means that the General Assembly ought to support demand-side energy policy that fosters innovation and meets the needs of consumer manufacturers. Finally, as the energy transition continues, and cleaner, more sustainable resources are added to the generation mix, careful consideration must be given to baseload resources in order to maintain reliable power generation in Indiana.