Celebrating 40 years of Earth Day

Today marks the 40th anniversary for one of the most widely celebrated environmental advocacy days around the world. Earth Day first took place on April 22, 1970, when more that 20 million Americans took to the streets, classrooms and auditoriums to demonstrate for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.

The History of Earth Day
Founded by former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin and coordinated by Denis Hayes, the first Earth Day aligned bi-partisan support, transcended social classes and gave a voice to environmental advocacy. Earth day would eventually lead to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

The Start of Earth Day in Indiana
As the 20th anniversary of Earth Day drew nearer in 1990, Hayes was asked to coordinate another major campaign. This time, Earth Day went global including 200 million people across 141 countries.

In Indiana, volunteers organized a 20th anniversary Earth Day celebration in downtown Indianapolis. A short time later, they formed a member-based, nonprofit organization, Earth Day Indiana, to continue the annual event in Indiana.

How does Indiana Rank?
According to a 2007 study by Forbes.com, Indiana ranked 49th in the nation for environmental wellness.

In 2007, the U.S. EPA reported that Indiana had the highest amount of toxic discharges to bodies of water among all state, more than 11 percent of the nation’s total.

By 2005 3.7 million Hoosiers were exposed to tap water that included contaminants above acceptable health and safety limits.

Senate Democrats in Action
Today Senate Democrats continue to work toward a greener future for our state and our planet by protecting our natural resources and investing in a sustainable future. Senate Democrats realize that environmentally friendly practices not only preserve our natural resources but stimulate new technologies and economic drivers at a time when jobs and economic stability is needed most. Watch the video below to learn more about where Senate Democrats stand  to help make  a cleaner, greener and brighter future for Hoosier families.

Renewable Energy

Green Jobs and Economic Development

Indiana awarded $6 Million for Green Job Training

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced that Indiana has received a $6 million grant from the US Department of Labor to provide green job training to Hoosiers. Forty-five Indiana counties will be impacted by the grants (see list from the Dept. of Labor).

According to DWD’s announcement:

The grant will fund Indiana’s Green Technology Instruction and Training (I GET IT), which will provide the skills and on-the-job experience in the green energy sector to unemployed Hoosiers. The grant will also create an Advanced Energy Training Center that will help the state transition to a green economy.

The grant was one of 34 totalling nearly $190 million announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor and authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 .

Video & Audio: State of the State Response

Governor Mitch Daniels delivered his sixth State of the State Address to a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly tonight.  Watch, listen, or read Governor Daniels’ address here >

Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson responded saying she was disappointed by the lack of vision for the future of Indiana as the state recovers from the recession. She said the focus of the rest of the legislative session needs to be putting Hoosiers back to work, and she hopes to see more leadership from the governor on that effort.

Watch the video below to hear her comments:

Audio only:

Watch and listen to more Senate Democrat responses below:

State Senator Jim Arnold, District 8

Audio only:

State Senator Bob Deig, District 49

Audio only:

State Senator Sue Errington, District 26

Audio only:

State Senator Lindel Hume, District 48

Audio only:

State Senator Tim Lanane, District 25

Audio only:

Making Indiana open for (green) business

State Sen. Sue Errington is pushing for Indiana to adopt a renewable energy standard which would require utility companies to generate a portion of their electricity from a combination of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency.  Senate Bill 94 would ensure Indiana receives at least 20% of our energy from renewable or energy efficient resources by 2021.

Sen. Errington writes:

As Indiana fights in these tough economic times to attract and retain jobs for Hoosier workers, it’s imperative we use every tool possible to give us a competitive advantage over neighboring states. That’s why I’m sponsoring legislation this session designed to create new jobs and investments in our state’s burgeoning clean energy economy.

Video: Errington on focus for 2010 session: Job Creation

Video: Senate Democrats focus on green jobs & economic development