Monday, February 24, 2025
Indiana has an abundance of natural resources at our disposal.
From the Ohio River in the south to Lake Michigan in the north, access to water has allowed our state to grow and prosper.
Given the importance of water to our economic stability, Senate Republicans are prioritizing a bill this year that would protect Indiana's water resources.
Senate Bill 4 would require a permit for basin-to-basin water transfers and other large, long-distance water pipelines.
While Indiana has plenty of water to meet our state's needs, that water is not evenly distributed across the state. Recently, our state has become a favorable location for industries that are highly dependent on water, like EV battery facilities and data centers.
SB 4 would set up a process to ensure large water transfers consider both hydrological and economic impacts on a region.
Under the bill, if a utility company or large private-sector user wants to move water from one basin to another, they would need the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to review the plan and grant a permit. The bill would also set up a second permit process with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for all large, long-haul water pipelines, regardless of whether the water is staying within the same basin.
For more information about Senate Republicans' 2025 legislative priorities, click here.
