[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671655,"mediaKeyId","2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac","parentId",2154712,"title","Councilors press for public review after Board of Public Works’ walk-on renewal of Covanta incineration contract","audioSeconds",200,"startMs",1148000,"endMs",1348000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac&start=1148&end=1348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac/thumbnail_1148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671655/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Councilors-press-for-public-review-after-Board-of-Public-Works-walk-on-renewal-of-Covanta-incineration-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671655-2aabd388528882f5dff002fd40dc254f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159072&Signature=B8XeVbQTD0G0qFnPeIwGQXO8gH1wwwLuOrtov~Pf-P3JPCLYcDKicYbMou5zIwslkSDHZuE~H~wCO07CWQx7MAFi-XfiTHyBLiXQ9Dt-nSHDb~SNcwyGakuPExzMLw-HxZsdRR0F~QB~YpSmhSL5~ydOKuN8hgfOQZ1CHz4TOoy2SIXEVDbBcLuLtWaDM-GBjGyndNROaVjxQm209d2TpvTs9np2FiubusHagUArhW8uGE2JEauleyaTafXH73vPkpV5axqsNx3T11dn33eEbRpfWky6gCdXJs8a-Uvfr9VUEYDVYwVNmxRZsuopYWh5UHKOZc7jea3c77hQ0VLfhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Indianapolis, IN","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","Councilors at the Indianapolis City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee on Monday criticized the process by which the Board of Public Works advanced a walk-on agenda item to renew a long-term contract with the trash incinerator formerly operated by Covanta (now Re-World), and requested fuller public review of solid-waste planning.

Councilor Jesse Brown said he was “extremely disappointing” that the renewal was presented as a walk-on item and that board members and the public had little opportunity to review the proposal in advance. Brown asked how much input the Office of Sustainability had in the review; Mo McReynolds said the office “is a part of a team” within Public Works and that she had signed a nondisclosure agreement and therefore could not disclose specific contract details.

The Nut Graf: Councilors described concerns about process transparency and potential air-quality impacts, and requested a fuller discussion of the city’s solid-waste system in March. Brown and others urged public hearings and council review for decisions with community health implications.

Brown told the committee that the council appointees on the Board of Public Works voted no but had not been given time for questions. “There was no public input or engagement before, which really is the antithesis of kind of the MO I’ve seen from your office,” Brown said. He added he feared some children could face increased asthma risk from elevated PM2.5 emissions and argued the contract renewal warranted a public process.

McReynolds said IDEM and city staff had been consulted on potential air implications and that, in comparison to other local sources such as transportation and industrial activity, she did not expect the incinerator to be the largest source of PM2.5. She urged the committee to consider the topic in a broader solid-waste discussion scheduled for March so staff could speak more fully once restrictions on commenting end.

Chair John Barth said a March committee meeting is planned to consider the solid-waste system “writ large,” and several council members said they expect public hearings and more documentation before permanent decisions.

Ending: The committee scheduled a March discussion of the city’s solid-waste strategy; members asked staff to ensure they have the opportunity for a public, documented review of the incinerator contract and related air-quality analysis before any long-term renewal is finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council of Indianapolis, IN - Environmental Sustainability Committee - Jan 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members raised concerns about process and air impacts after the Board of Public Works placed a walk-on item to renew a 10-year contract with Covanta (now Re-World). Members said council-appointed board members had no chance for public input and requested broader public consideration and a March committee review of solid-waste strategy.","taxTitle","Indianapolis City, Marion County, Indiana","taxId",3627,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671659,"IDEM describes Environmental Stakeholder Inclusion program and public-facing data tools",767,2784000,3551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac&start=2784&end=3551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac/thumbnail_2784000.jpg","/articles/6671659/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/IDEM-describes-Environmental-Stakeholder-Inclusion-program-and-public-facing-data-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671659-373c2670e0707ab92bf24dab12cb8bac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159072&Signature=YBNcVmuTu8sNzgZ9CgcJxDw0Xh-kcYjjWlK28F5qn3LkqHJgyS4bPW~0GncpkbDMTkz6Aa6jugc~JKUVD0bdVFx7Wnu6WKsH5Efmf~9Y6F6uFKjDjFUfPndkDBjKhAuNJAdzCazqIRr3btMvL1eM8ZUfMUMjIz0rN9ktnRPJhIlOFNszGffpmkXyaSjxbwIFYrm7zidu~hud~9IFOjVszWTtpwg~Jhm81BoJesX-v5B672WVvuQovUbQTwWS1gM2N5ib52IPxl8a9YZ3BmHQ-Piw3l6a97QmNx8NASwJsnBxCU2-zvrIRW-xNbEDFl3NDDDDtJhlo2NSc7lgTeGeOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Herb Engman, program lead for the Environmental Stakeholder Inclusion (ESI) program at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), described how IDEM handles public inquiries, accessibility and targeted outreach and demonstrated a public GIS tool that links to agency documents.

Engman said the ESI program implements the agency’s nondiscrimination policy and emphasizes “fair treatment and meaningful involvement,” language taken from EPA environmental justice guidance. The program provides an intake process for questions and concerns, offers translation and interpretation (noting frequent Spanish-language requests), coordinates ADA accommodations for public hearings and translates technical responses from subject-matter experts into plain English for stakeholders.

The Nut Graf: ESI provides a tracked request system with an acknowledgement and an initial response or update within 30 days, and a formal target of resolving requests within 90 days. Engman said, however, that in practice ESI requests typically take “two or three weeks” or less to resolve and that the 90-day metric exists to cover complex cases.

Engman also demonstrated IDEM’s “What’s in My Neighborhood?” GIS tool, which allows users to view state cleanups, monitoring stations and other environmental layers and to open linked documents from IDEM’s virtual file cabinet. He used a local site near Shapiro’s Deli as an example of how historical documents and no-further-action letters are available through the tool.

Committee members pressed for ways to make bilingual outreach more visible to Spanish-speaking residents. Engman said IDEM has expanded Spanish-language school presentations and gone to community festivals and local events, but noted some communities remain reluctant to contact government offices and that IDEM continues to explore methods to increase trust.

Ending: Engman invited councilors and residents to use the “What’s in My Neighborhood?” tool and to contact ESI staff for assistance. He said IDEM maintains an internal case-management system for ESI requests and staff resources across the state to answer stakeholder inquiries.
","Herb Engman of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management outlined the agency’s Environmental Stakeholder Inclusion (ESI) program, which provides enhanced outreach, translation, ADA accommodations and a public GIS tool called 'What’s in My Neighborhood?'.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671662,"IDEM forecasters explain Smog Watch, monitoring network and how air-quality action days are declared",673,1625000,2298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac&start=1625&end=2298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac/thumbnail_1625000.jpg","/articles/6671662/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/IDEM-forecasters-explain-Smog-Watch-monitoring-network-and-how-air-quality-action-days-are-declared","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671662-384e5aa549baf9f0a8014144df195bd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159072&Signature=VcNInc8qaUZ8k9sudJwb0KujGFE5tILTxT8wqMa7sdYweH5hb8a2A1aZpor-OyqUmmQcwPmXxX~NNcuyeMIr-WQnTwCCW677tuwJFt3-QxDyGQ8jwm3S3RoLFI7SBtL8n5Qfje9hqgl3FaeexvY7cveXcpz3Qzb1zSjU8VnmBcDxu9Rlk8gOd-Q5ujcuE-VsdXZW0KAN6weQfU2LU0IU7Hrde~kaI~JMUjf5xDz8QazTLUxcB8~TMgOJPNHdSQdHzLbsqv38cwCbpYv6b3Uqqwnd2V80kGnErwGwmgInuTMhTakMHhtVQdBF1tKrmQx~nB1reo5v5Xnb0mBGXPBiYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Welch, an air quality forecaster with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), briefed the Indianapolis City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee on the state’s Smog Watch forecasting system, monitoring network and the process for declaring air-quality action days.

Welch said IDEM issues daily forecasts for PM2.5 year-round and for ozone from March 1 through Oct. 31. He described a collaborative decision process with the city: IDEM provides technical forecasts and the city of Indianapolis concurs before NoZone action days are formally issued. “We do not pull the trigger essentially on an ozone action day or an ozone action day until we get concurrence from the city,” Welch said.

The Nut Graf: IDEM’s forecasting combines monitoring data, weather models and air-quality models to predict whether ozone or PM2.5 will exceed health-based standards. The agency maintains a network of continuous monitors and deploys filter-based samplers where required by EPA siting criteria. Welch described the practical steps forecasters take — examining yesterday’s measurements, weather patterns and model output — and then elevating a recommendation to city partners for public messaging and press releases.

Welch described how different pollution sources contribute to ozone and PM2.5: transportation, power plants and biogenic emissions for ozone formation; direct particle sources such as combustion, construction, brake and tire dust; and secondary formation for particulates. He also reviewed why regional and international events — for example, Canadian wildfire smoke or long-range dust events — can drive spikes in PM2.5 readings statewide.

On monitoring, Welch said the state runs continuous monitors that upload data to IDEM’s public dashboard and that some samples are collected on filters and sent to labs for analysis. Monitors are sited using EPA criteria; IDEM can deploy additional monitors and has used targeted monitoring in neighborhoods when specific concerns arise.

Committee members asked about community-level placement of monitors and about media and partner amplification of action-day information. Welch said monitors follow EPA siting guidance and that IDEM’s new mobile-friendly website and coordination with the National Weather Service and local broadcasters enhance reach. He encouraged residents to use the state’s monitoring website to view neighborhood-level AQI readings and to sign up for alerts.

Ending: Welch said the agency will continue daily forecasting during the ozone season, will coordinate early with city partners to allow the city to prepare operational changes and public messaging, and noted that recent summers have shown the utility of rapid public outreach during smoke events.
","John Welch of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management walked the committee through the state’s Smog Watch forecasting process, how monitors collect ozone and PM2.5 data, and the partnership between IDEM and the city in issuing Air Quality Action Days.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671668,"Indianapolis Office of Sustainability outlines NoZone air-quality outreach and action-day guidance",1465,155000,1620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac&start=155&end=1620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154712-2769393f3f14ca93f3c7a8f1a07196ac/thumbnail_155000.jpg","/articles/6671668/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Indianapolis-Office-of-Sustainability-outlines-NoZone-air-quality-outreach-and-action-day-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671668-54d728c5fda4adb12afec7ce809f77de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159072&Signature=OvgcPY25nR-aV-MKIlgVFFPT4UnMGTWThYCx9ISe6BIwNOGYv3HYlQLKPad2fXsxMmYo5GHI3yrebtH-nSiH9a~LyJOzxXjfxgx8PPkxM9ukC7KO3jCfBs6dxM4XnBspRqplFOAIkHAEBPtGk1jGZBneOygkI-MNauVqGqQOcIxUg1BhphJFDvSTU5t~GqOQl4Wf23LobwtPVASVDeEivRF75ZeRCYYbx4-DjbAjGGUiNNPCTnjP2ILM1xhr48yBgWTthWsUbEF1pQ2eL3ookW~BHvcQ26aVQfopowSJai0SRyZ~gHInxuJEXdKoYrgHiXL339QsUm2kJTHJGOlYZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim director Mo McReynolds of the City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability on Monday described the city’s NoZone air-quality program and how the office communicates Air Quality Index (AQI) alerts and action-day guidance to residents in central Indiana.

McReynolds told the City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee that NoZone consolidates AQI information — driven by ozone and PM2.5 measurements — and issues public advisories intended to reduce exposure and emissions on poor-air days. “We’re gonna talk a little bit about no zone, what actions is our office taking, and what can residents do about it,” McReynolds said.

The Nut Graf: NoZone is the office’s public-facing brand for daily air-quality information and action-day messaging. McReynolds said NoZone materials explain the AQI color scale and provide “good, better, best” behavior suggestions for residents, while the office also coordinates with partner agencies to change government operations—such as adjusting Department of Public Works mowing schedules—on action days.

McReynolds said AQI combines ground-level ozone and PM2.5, particulate matter roughly 2.5 microns in diameter, and noted that while stratospheric ozone is protective, ground-level ozone is harmful. She called attention to the diversity of PM2.5 sources — “pollen, mold, soot, organic matter, various chemicals” — and said the office is trying to inform residents about both visible events, such as wildfire smoke, and less perceptible poor-air days that still carry health risk.

On outreach, McReynolds said roughly 70–75% of residents are aware of NoZone and that about 65% of those take some action when an alert is issued. The office uses social media, billboards funded in part by Federal Highway Administration sources routed through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Channel 16 and direct communications to city staff. McReynolds also described an education strand that promotes electric vehicles and other long-term strategies to reduce tailpipe emissions. “Other examples of things you can do in your home, turning off your lights, using LED light bulbs…,” McReynolds said while outlining the “good, better, best” guidance for residents.

Committee members praised the office’s communication approach but asked how the office ensures messages reach populations that do not follow city social channels. McReynolds said the office seeks new partners and relies on a network of community organizations and schools to extend its messaging. She also said the NoZone program covers a nine-county region in coordination with the MPO, not just Indianapolis and Marion County.

Questions from council members included the program’s funding and regional reach. McReynolds said the MPO channels Federal Highway Administration funds that support the billboards and regional messaging. Councilor Brianne Delaney asked about the funding relationship and McReynolds confirmed the MPO and federal highway funding help support NoZone’s regional communications.

The office also flagged a multi-day spike in action days in recent years: McReynolds said the program logged 22 action days in a recent year, a number she described as “pretty scary,” and attributed spikes in part to extraordinary events such as wildfire smoke from Canada.

Ending: McReynolds said NoZone will be part of a wider set of presentations this committee will hear this quarter — including water-quality briefings later in the year — and encouraged councilors to share suggestions for partners to broaden outreach.
","Interim director Mo McReynolds told the Indianapolis City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee that the city’s NoZone program combines AQI monitoring, public messaging and outreach across a nine-county region and encourages individual and institutional actions on poor-air-quality days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilors press for public review after Board of Public Works’ walk-on renewal of Covanta incineration contract

IDEM describes Environmental Stakeholder Inclusion program and public-facing data tools

IDEM forecasters explain Smog Watch, monitoring network and how air-quality action days are declared

Indianapolis Office of Sustainability outlines NoZone air-quality outreach and action-day guidance