Indiana Law Limits Cities' Green Goals

Indianas New Law: A Shift from Mandates to Incentives for Sustainability Programs

Indianas Governor Mike Braun signed a new law last month, primarily aimed at regulating homeowner associations. However, an amendment in House Enrolled Act eleven fifty has stripped cities of their power to enforce certain sustainability programs. Starting March fifteenth, Indianapolis can no longer mandate buildings to report energy use data under its twenty twenty-one benchmarking initiative. The amendment, added by Representative Jim Pressel, argues that collecting utility data is costly and complex, particularly for multi-family housing. The change passed with a majority vote.

Benchmarking efforts are gaining traction nationwide, with over two dozen cities and eight states planning to track building energy and sometimes water or gas use by January 2026. The aim is to identify ways to reduce consumption and promote green designs in new construction. City officials express concern about losing this tool, emphasizing that measuring energy is crucial for effective management. Without mandates, Indianapolis plans to rely on voluntary reports and offer incentives to keep owners engaged.

In the Senate, Senator Andrea Hunley from Indianapolis attempted to strike the amendment, but her effort was unsuccessful. The law now relies on persuasion over requirements for local green goals.

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