Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) released a report identifying 10 state environmental regulations that may be revised or rescinded.
The effort is part of Braun’s push to reduce what he considers outdated and overly burdensome rules, aimed at lowering costs and spurring economic growth.
The move stems from a March executive order that directed state agencies to review regulations that may not align with current law or scientific understanding, do not benefit Indiana’s environment or significantly raise the cost of living for Hoosiers. The order also called for aligning Indiana’s rules more closely with federal environmental standards.
“Government naturally drifts toward over-regulation,” Braun said. “It’s important to go through these regulations to make sure they aren’t stifling innovation and raising the cost of living without benefiting our environment … We can grow our economy while also safeguarding Hoosiers’ health and preserving our natural resources.”
According to the report, IDEM identified 10 regulations for review, including rules regarding underground storage tank notifications, open-burn training, wastewater permit timelines and emissions-malfunction plans. While the report does not finalize any rollbacks, it marks the first formal step in Braun’s regulatory reform efforts.
Critics also point to a broader concern that the review offers a false choice between economic growth and environmental protection. Since 2021, Indiana has lost at least 350 acres of wetlands, which environmental groups say are critical for flood control and clean water.
National organizations, including the Environmental Protection Network, have warned that regulatory rollbacks, especially if mirrored in other states, could contribute to public health issues such as increased asthma rates and premature deaths.
While Braun’s office emphasized that the public had an opportunity to submit feedback before the June 30 comment deadline, environmental advocates say the public awareness of the process was limited.
IDEM has until October 31 to review all Indiana regulations stricter than federal standards and until December 31 to recommend which should remain.
The full IDEM report can be found at in.gov/gov/newsroom.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
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