This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 12th, 2022.

Later in the program, Governor Eric Holcomb focused on the economy, education and the Covid-19 pandemic during last night’s annual State of the State address. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Futurist Follies on Better Beware - your consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB Community Radio. More following today’s feature.

But first, Nathaniel Weinzapfel has your Environmental News Brief:

The Environmental Protection Agency has begun shutting down coal-burning power plants in the states of Ohio, Iowa, and Indiana. The power plant affected in Indiana is the Clifty Creek power plant in Madison. The reason that Clifty Creek and other power plants are being shut down is due to the toxic wastewater lakes that are a byproduct of the plants and frequently leak into the groundwater or nearby streams. The substance found in the wastewater lakes is coal ash, which is a toxic mix of arsenic, mercury, and other potentially dangerous heavy metals that can result in illness in both wildlife and humans. While this is a good step in stopping the pollution, a recent study released by multiple utility companies throughout the United States has found that contamination from coal plants is a widespread problem, occurring from the East Coast to Alaska.

According to Scrub Hub and the Indianapolis Star, now is the best time for Hoosiers to get their chance to see one of the United States’ greatest conservation successes: the bald eagle. Ever since the US bald eagle population reached its lowest number 50 years ago, the species has been protected and reintroduced in numerous states including Indiana. They now live in large numbers along the tributaries of the upper Mississippi River and other bodies of water. This includes a sizable population around Lake Monroe. Now is the best time to see the birds because they are easier to spot in the winter, as there are fewer leaves on the trees. The birds are also more numerous due to many of the eagles traveling south to escape some of the northern cold weather. There are bald eagle nests all over the state, so keep your eyes on the sky and you might be able to catch a glimpse of one.

A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has found that during 2021, the United States was impacted by 20 climate disasters that caused over $1 billion dollars of damage each, making it the third-costliest extreme weather year on record. These include such notable events as the Mayfield Kentucky tornado and Texas frigid cold electrical power blackout. Similarly, this year saw Colorado’s most destructive wildfire in its history, resulting in $10 billion dollars worth of damage. Around half of the entire United States population was impacted, often unknowingly, by a drought during most of last year. This report comes out at a time when President Joe Biden is trying once again to get West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin to support the climate and environmental policies in Biden's ‘Build Back Better Plan.” Scientists predict that extreme weather events will become more frequent if climate change is not efficiently addressed.

Bloomington Commission on Sustainability

The Bloomington Commission on Sustainability welcomed Bloomington resident David Maenner to the commission at the January 11th meeting. There are still vacancies, and Chair of the commission Nejla Routsong encouraged interested individuals to apply.

During public comment Donald Eggert from the Bloomington Environmental Commission also discussed vacancies on their commission, and wanted to inform the commission on sustainability about some outreach they could be doing with the help of Outreach Coordinator Gillian Field.

Commission member Matt Flaherty updated the commission on the Bloomington City Council’s upcoming decisi...