STATEHOUSE (July 11, 2025) — A bill authored by State Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell) that ensures Indiana's air quality is meeting certain guidelines established by the federal Clean Air Act was ceremonially signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun at the Lake County Government Center today.
Senate Enrolled Act 103 requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to perform a comprehensive evaluation of ambient air quality in nonattainment areas, which are areas that have a high likelihood of being contaminated with pollutants, and identify air pollution reduction or regulatory relief strategies to meet certain goals in respect to the federal Clean Air Act.
Currently, only Lake and Porter counties are subject to emissions testing in Indiana. While the ambient air quality in these counties is very close to meeting the emission limits set forth by the CAA, the counties are looped into Chicago's nonattainment area, resulting in Indiana's counties being out of compliance. By tasking IDEM with exploring strategies that could potentially result in the withdrawal of Lake and Porter counties from the Chicago nonattainment area, our state might be able to eventually eliminate emissions testing.
"As chair of the Senate Committee on Environmental Affairs, I am always seeking out ways to ensure Indiana's rich environment remains strong and uncontaminated by pollutants," Niemeyer said. "I'm pleased to see Gov. Braun support this measure, and I look forward to reviewing the results of the evaluation to see what we might be able to do at the state level to continue protecting the ecosystem in our local communities and throughout the state while relieving the residents of Lake and Porter counties of the hassle of emissions testing."
Niemeyer encourages residents of Senate District 6 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Niemeyer can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Niemeyer or by phone at 317-232-9489.
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Contact: Emma Balzer, Deputy Communications Director
Emma.Balzer@iga.in.gov
317-232-7184
