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Karl Schneider

@karlstartswithk

Environment reporter at Indianpolis Star covering local and statewide issues. Send me things: karl.schneider@indystar.com | Signal: karlstartswithk.50

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13.11.2023
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Latest posts by Karl Schneider @karlstartswithk

Hefty bill may change IDEM's scope. Advocates say it's moving too fast State lawmakers in Indiana are attempting to rewrite the laws governing its environmental management agency.

Advocates and lawmakers both say they want more time to process the 176-page bill that redefines large portions of state code governing IDEM

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

13.01.2026 15:51 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Indiana General Assembly Website for Indiana's General Assembly

The bill will be heard in the Senate appropriations committee. The full text can be found here:

iga.in.gov/legislative/...

12.01.2026 17:51 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Indiana senators just passed along SB277 β€” a 176-page bill affecting the state's environmental regulation agency. Supporters said it will modernize IDEM and save taxpayer money. Opponents criticized the 4-day notice to review changes they fear will erode environmental oversight.

12.01.2026 17:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
'Death by 1,000 cuts': How EPA policy changes will affect Indiana The Environmental Protection Agency methodically deregulated and rolled back environmental protections this year under the Trump administration. Here's how Hoosiers have been affected.

ICYMI: @hartleys.bsky.social and I took a look at how the EPA's deregulation efforts last year could affect public health and the environment in Indiana:

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

08.01.2026 14:44 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
How the Midwest's data center gold rush may become a political reckoning Tech titans are spending billions in the race to develop AI. Their efforts are finding a home in the Midwest.

β€œThere’s kind of a quiet revolt in the heartland," said Bryce Gustafson, an organizer with Citizens Action Coalition.

Marissa Meador takes an in-depth look at data center development in the Midwest for IndyStar:

bit.ly/44yM9rJ

18.12.2025 16:48 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Data center planned for Decatur Township site meets hostile neighborhood crowd at town hall A Decatur Township town hall got heated Tuesday night as the crowd repeatedly shouted over a data center operator wanting to build in the township.

Hoosiers increase collective action to oppose data center buildouts in Indiana, recently in Decatur Township where more than 350 people stood together. @alysaguffey.bsky.social has the story with IndyStar

bit.ly/3JIdYGT

19.11.2025 15:49 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Don't cross the picket line--no reading Science News today! These journalists deserve a fair contract that recognizes the value they bring to the company.

05.11.2025 13:55 πŸ‘ 82 πŸ” 50 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Land managers use fire to help maintain forest health but some environmentalists are wary Forest managers are increasingly willing to use prescribed burns for conservation. Some say the practice does more harm than good.

To burn, or not to burn. That is the question
@hartleys.bsky.social asks here: bit.ly/4345jVH

29.10.2025 14:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
AES maps energy sources for future β€” plus Plan B for extra load data centers could bring AES laid out plans to increase capacity over the next 15 years, with a backup plan that includes possible new data centers. See differences here.

As AES Indiana plans for the next 15 years, it could rely on battery storage and smaller gas engines to keep up with demand. But if data center growth expands, the investor-owned utility could build more fossil fuel plants. @alysaguffey.bsky.social has more:

bit.ly/4oxcP3x

23.10.2025 16:17 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Poynter launches public editor project to serve news audiences in Indianapolis - Poynter Partner newsrooms will publish the editor’s independent analysis of local news coverage across the market.

This new position in Indy is supposed to "... enable people to hold their local journalists accountable for what they need from them, and also when appropriate to elevate great journalism.”

Go apply!

www.poynter.org/news-release...

15.10.2025 16:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Meet the endangered rat species that loves a home with a view The Allegheny woodrat has been on Indiana's state endangered species list since 1984, and researchers are working to boost its population.

These little floofs build their own alarm systems with dried leaves, so don't try anything funny!

bit.ly/3WEEvHH

15.10.2025 14:54 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
EPA withdraws coke oven rule in move environmental advocates consider a win The U.S. EPA is walking back its rule that would have extended deadlines for facilities to comply with stricter air pollution standards.

Trump EPA withdraws its deadline extension for coke ovens to comply with standards set under Biden admin.

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

09.10.2025 18:41 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Citizens Energy completes DigIndy system to protect White River: What to know Citizens Energy Group has completed the DigIndy tunnel system, which aims to protect the White River from pollution.

DigIndy is finally dug.

Citizens Energy is celebrating the completion of the $2 billion, 14-year construction project meant to protect the White River.

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

09.10.2025 14:43 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Late-season disease outbreak causes IDNR to restrict some bag limits for Indiana's deer season. @hartleys.bsky.social for IndyStar:

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

09.10.2025 14:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
How AES is considering cleaning up coal ash in Indianapolis AES Indiana is taking steps to clean and control the coal ash ponds at its Harding Street Station site.

AES Indiana is taking public comments for potential solutions to clean up coal ash near the White River

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

08.10.2025 13:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Federal government rescinds $6.7 million energy grant for Indianapolis airport solar farm The $6.7 million grant was earmarked for the Indianapolis International Airport in 2023 under the Biden administration. IND never received the money.

Trump admin claws back millions $$ from @INDairport meant for clean energy projects. From @alysaguffey.bsky.social for IndyStar

www.indystar.com/story/news/p...

08.10.2025 13:10 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
These Indiana residents have brown water and want their town to tell them why Residents in Lapel, Indiana, are experiencing brown water coming out of their taps and are worried that the water is not safe to drink.

Sometimes the tap water runs the color of sweet tea, sometimes the color of urine and on good days, the water flows crystal-clear. Residents have no idea what they will see each day when they turn on their taps nor do they know what causes the changing water color.

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

06.10.2025 14:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Is Franklin Township data center dead? Google withdraws petition just before Council hearing Google withdrew an unpopular rezoning petition for a data center in Franklin Township minutes before the City-County Council was set to vote on the petition.

Google withdrew its proposal for a data center near Indy after residents successfully organized in opposition to the development. @alysaguffey.bsky.social has the latest:

www.indystar.com/story/news/l...

23.09.2025 13:04 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Federal EV program moves forward. Will Indiana's Black communities be left behind again? The Federal Highway Administration has restarted a national EV program, but Sec. Sean Duffy says it should not consider rural, disadvantaged communites.

Trump admin restarts federal EV grant program it paused in Feb. but rolls back language meant to assist disadvantaged communities.

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

02.09.2025 17:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Energy lobby ramped up spending on meals and gifts for lawmakers amid push for nuclear. It worked Powerful utility committee chairmen Sen. Eric Koch and Rep. Ed Soliday heralded pro-nuclear bills while accepting paid meals from utilities.

IndyStar analyzed hundreds of lobbying disclosures ... to map the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers. The documents revealed a dominant energy lobby that spent tens of thousands of dollars currying favor with legislators, writes Marissa Meador:

www.indystar.com/story/news/p...

21.08.2025 13:53 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Kimmie Gordon makes the woods inviting for everyone Kimmie Gordon shares her love of nature and the outdoors with Brown Faces, Green Spaces.

Kimmie Gordon at Brown Faces, Green spaces is making the outdoors fun for everyone. Meet Kimmie and learn about her efforts:

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

18.08.2025 14:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Controversial timber sales begin in Hoosier National Forest, despite Gov. Braun's objections The Hoosier National Forest initiates first timber sales in the Houston South Project area, despite concerns from governor and local advocates.

The USFS began selling timber from the controversial Houston South project in the Hoosier National Forest. Gov. Braun is calling it "misguided" @hartleys.bsky.social for IndyStar

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

18.08.2025 13:39 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Indiana loses $130 million as EPA cancels low-income solar program Advocate: 'Solar for all was going to benefit low-income grandmas living on very little income. That's whose interests we would live to see served.'

For two years Indiana groups have been preparing to use $130M in federal money to assist low-income households save money on utility bills under the Solar for All program. EPA Admin Zeldin announced plans to take that money away.

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

14.08.2025 12:59 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The EPA wants to roll back climate regulations. Here’s how Hoosiers can have a say Almost a quarter of Indiana's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation β€” a sector EPA wants to deregulate. Here's how you can have a say.

Hoosiers still have time to tell the EPA how they feel about the agency's efforts to revoke the endangerment finding. @hartleys.bsky.social has the details:

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

13.08.2025 21:26 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Advocates continue pushing back on AES discharges into White River near Martinsville The Hoosier Environmental Council is seeking to overturn a judge's order regarding AES pollution discharge permit.

The fight over AES discharging coal ash pollution into the White River continues as groups push back against a recent ruling.

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

05.08.2025 18:11 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Scientists Say New Government Climate Report Twists Their Work A new Department of Energy report β€œfundamentally misrepresents” climate research and leaves out key context, multiple scientists cited in the report tell WIRED.

NEW: i spoke to nine (!) scientists across several disciplines whose work was cited in the new Department of Energy report that downplays the severity of climate change. all of them say their work was misrepresented, cherry picked, and/or lacked context β€”

30.07.2025 20:38 πŸ‘ 3841 πŸ” 1895 πŸ’¬ 62 πŸ“Œ 98
Post image

The EPA cited my paper in their argument against the endangerment finding today. However, their point is completely backwards: my paper actually supports the EPA's 2009 range of 1.8C to 4C warming by 2100. www.nature.com/artic...

29.07.2025 21:03 πŸ‘ 712 πŸ” 281 πŸ’¬ 18 πŸ“Œ 23
Preview
EPA chief visits Indiana to announce repeal of landmark climate change policy EPA chief Zeldin announced plans to rescind the country's biggest tool to fight climate change. Environmental advocates call it a direct assault.

EPA admin Zeldin announces his intent to repeal the pivotal finding in effort to align agency with Trump. For IndyStar w/ @hartleys.bsky.social

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

29.07.2025 22:54 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Hoosiers ask Braun, IDEM to maintain environmental rules protecting air, water and land Hundreds of comments poured into the Indiana Department of Environmental Management asking the agency not to roll back regulations.

Hoosiers are telling Indiana to prioritize protecting the environment after Gov. Braun ordered a review of "excessive environmental regulation"

www.indystar.com/story/news/e...

22.07.2025 13:15 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Developer lets slip who's behind south side data center, and it's a name you know A slip revealed that Google is behind a massive data center proposed on the southeast side of Indianapolis, raising concerns.

As Google attempts to build data centers in Central Indiana, a new study shows the tech giant misled the public on its emissions for the energy-hungry developments.

πŸ“: β€ͺ@ alysaguffey.bsky.social

www.indystar.com/story/money/...

09.07.2025 15:06 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0