• What is the BGI Policy group for?
    The focus group seeks to affect policy on a state and national level. A future goal is to establish a research team to collect data on alternative energy to better influence legislation.
  • What has the BGI Policy group done so far?
    The group has focused on letter writing and visits with legislators. Senators and Representatives do pay attention to what their constituents care about. According to an Indiana state legislator, it takes only 10-15 unique letters on one bill to influence action. Letters to newspapers are a good form of public education and advocacy. The Policy group has sent out several letters to the Exponent on issues such as coal and various forms of alternative energy. The focus group has also sent members to the Indiana Statehouse and the national Capitol.
  • How does a bill get passed?
    A Senator or Representative authors a bill and introduces it in committee. The committee discusses the bill and eventually votes on it. From committee it moves into the House or Senate. The body discusses the bill. If it passes the bill then moves to the other body, where it is also discussed. If it passes both the bill is sent to the governor for signing.
  • How can government action reduce carbon emissions?
    Government regulations on emissions basically fall into three categories: regulations, cap and trade, and a carbon tax. Regulations are rules agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency put out to dictate individual and corporate decisions. Cap and trade is a market-based system where the government sets a cap and creates emission allowances. Corporations that emit under the cap can sell allowances, while those over the cap must buy. A carbon tax is a tax levied on the amount of carbon emitted.
  • Where can I learn about environmental legislation in Indiana?
    *The Citizens Action Coalition, an Indiana citizens group, has a good list of bills that are both beneficial and detrimental to the environment: http://www.citact.org/newsite/
    *The Indiana legislative website is also a good resource. Here you can find your legislators and research bills:     http://www.in.gov/legislative/