BLOOMINGTON — The “Talking Conservation” public lecture series continues its 2026 season next month with a deep dive into the complex relationship between federal mandates and local environmental health.
Janet McCabe, a renowned environmental policy expert and former Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will present “Connections and Consequences: Federal Environmental Policy and State-Level Impacts” on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The event is open to the public. Interested attendees can register here.
The event, co-hosted by the O’Neill Environmental Policy Seminar Speaker Series and the Maurer School of Law, will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Room 123 of the Maurer School of Law.
Navigating the Federal-State Partnership
McCabe’s lecture arrives at a critical juncture for environmental law. For decades, the protection of American air and water has functioned as a “cooperative federalism” partnership. While the EPA sets national standards under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, it relies heavily on state agencies—like the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)—for the daily work of permitting, monitoring, and enforcement.
“As federal environmental policy changes, there are consequences across the country for public health and environmental protection,” the event abstract notes. McCabe will examine how recent shifts in Washington, D.C. influence state actions and, ultimately, the health of local communities.
About the Speaker
Janet McCabe’s career spans the highest levels of public service, law, and academia. She served as the EPA Deputy Administrator from 2021 to 2024 and was a key architect of air quality and climate initiatives during the Obama administration.
Before her federal appointments, McCabe spent over a decade in leadership at IDEM and served as the executive director of Improving Kids’ Environment, an Indianapolis-based advocacy group.
In 2025, she rejoined the Indiana University faculty with a joint appointment at the McKinney School of Law, the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and the IU Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI).
This lecture follows a successful series kickoff featuring Alex Sienkiewicz of the Sycamore Land Trust. The “Talking Conservation” series, supported by the Duke Energy Foundation, aims to explore the legal frameworks and people shaping the future of Indiana’s land, water, and wildlife.
Event Details & Registration
- Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Maurer School of Law, Room 123 at 211 South Indiana Avenue in Bloomington
- Professional Credits: This course is pending approval for 1.0 Indiana CLE credit (General) for legal professionals.
- Registration: Open to the public. Interested attendees can register here.
