Hamilton Youth Climate Action Day draws hundreds of students from across Indiana to the Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) today hosted hundreds of youth climate action leaders from across Indiana to call on the state legislature to address the effects of climate change now. Hamilton authored a climate action resolution and three climate action bills this session that embrace renewable energy and a more sustainable Indiana.

“This is about giving voice to our young people who inspired me to take action despite Republican supermajority policies moving us in the opposite direction,” said Hamilton.

“Today was about acknowledging the problem and taking action to strengthen Indiana, protect our agriculture sector, build resilient communities, grow a renewable energy economy, improve our quality of life and strengthen our economy into the future.

“This week, House Bill 1414 will likely be on the House floor – a bill that will increase energy costs and pollution while hindering the expansion of clean, cheaper renewables. We are better than this bill and I believe the State of Indiana can and must be part of the solution. If we decide to do so, we can innovate and invest and build a stronger, healthier, more resilient Indiana.”

Here are Hamilton’s climate action proposals:

• A  climate resolution –– based on Purdue’s climate research –to reduce carbon emission and build resiliency through a bipartisan-led taskforce that would provide recommendations to the legislative body including:
  • Setting a renewable energy target;
  • Protecting our agricultural sector;
  • Growing Indiana's clean energy manufacturing sector, decreasing carbon emissions from vehicles, strengthening the circular economy.
• House Bill 1227 would repeal the supplemental fee to register an electric or hybrid vehicle, thus removing a barrier to the growth of clean car sales in Indiana and send a signal that Indiana cares about air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
• House Bill 1228 would restore net metering for renewable energy, eliminating the roll backs in 2017’s Senate Enrolled Act 309. Will help grow renewables, creating cheaper energy for rate payers and a more resilient energy grid. 
• House Bill 1415 would help communities across Indiana build climate resilience by facilitating investments in storm water management. 

Hamilton has been a strong supporter of climate action since before representing Indiana House District 87 in the Indiana General Assembly as a nonprofit executive and has 20+ years of experience in the environmental field. During that time she has managed several policy development initiatives and public outreach programs.

To download high resolution photos from Youth Climate Action Day, click here.