This month’s Crossroads Forum webinar is in honor of National Clean Air Month and will feature presentations from members of the NWI Partners for Clean Air (PCA) Steering Committee, Kathy Luther (NIRPC) and Scott Nelson (Cheneco Energy).



They will discuss the history of PCA and air quality in Northwest Indiana, the importance of air quality action days, and the work PCA is currently doing to pave the way for the future of clean air in Indiana.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Community Recycling Grant Program is open!

Grant awards range from $1,000 - $100,000 with a 25% required cash match.

Eligible Applicants – Solid Waste Management Districts, Counties, Municipalities, Schools, and Nonprofit Organizations located in Indiana.

Projects that can be funded under this program include:

♻️Education and promotion of recycling

♻️Source reduction

♻️Organics management (including yard waste management and composting)

♻️Household hazardous waste (HHW) collection and disposal.

Applications close for the funding round on Thursday, June 18.

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn and various other plant materials collectively known as “biomass”. The use of ethanol is widespread, with more than 95 percent of U.S. gasoline containing ethanol in a low-level blend to oxygenate the fuel and reduce air pollution.

Ethanol is also available as E85, a high-level ethanol blend containing 51 percent to 83 percent ethanol, depending on geography and season. The blend can be used in flexible fuel vehicles which have an internal combustion engine and run on either E85 or gasoline. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, there are more than 8 million FFVs on U.S. roads today. However, many flex fuel vehicle owners don’t realize their car is an FFV and that they have a choice of fuels.

Learn more on our website

Rep. Erin Houchin Hails House Approval of Year-Round E15 Sales as Win for Indiana Corn Farmers

The House has approved legislation to permanently allow year-round sales of E15. Among the lawmakers pushing for passage of the bill, known as the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, was Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), who framed the vote as a direct benefit to Indiana’s agricultural economy.

“[It] is a win for consumers, and it’s a win for farmers, it’s a win for our ethanol producers in Indiana,” Houchin told Hoosier Ag Today.

The legislation would eliminate longstanding seasonal restrictions that currently limit E15 sales during the summer months in much of the country, a rule rooted in air-quality regulations that supporters say has become outdated. While federal agencies under administrations of both parties have frequently issued temporary waivers, backers of the bill argue a permanent fix is needed to stabilize fuel markets.

For Indiana — where corn production is a central pillar of the agricultural economy and where 15 ethanol production facilities anchor rural communities — the stakes are especially high.

Supporters say year-round E15 access would strengthen demand for corn at a time when many growers are facing tight margins and rising input costs.

Houchin said the policy could also help expand fuel markets for producers in her district and beyond.

Read More Here

We're pleased to share that Drive Clean Indiana has implemented GiveButter, a new CRM and online payment software, into our day-to-day operations. Using GiveButter enables Drive Clean Indiana to accept payments without incurring any additional fees, as the system is specifically designed for nonprofit use. We encourage everyone to submit their membership payments through GiveButter via the portal on our DCI website.

Megan Mech

Position: Project Manager

Professional Questions

What unique skills or expertise do you bring to the table that benefit the DCI team?

With a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science emphasizing Environmental Law, I have an extensive understanding of Acts and Legislation that govern environmental projects and programs. I also have experience with community outreach, stakeholder engagement, technical writing, and project management. 

What drew you to this field, and how did you get started?

I’ve always loved environmental science, and I've gravitated towards sustainability and policy. I enjoy working at the intersection of the two. I have experience working as a biologist doing field work, as well as a project analyst, being able to combine scientific reasoning with community projects. 

What is your favorite aspect of our company culture?

My favorite aspect has been the welcoming energy from everyone!

Personal Questions

What's a movie or TV show you've watched recently that you would recommend?

I don't watch much TV, so I'm recommending a book.

Crying in H Mart - sad, but impactful.

How would you describe your ideal weekend?

Warm weather, a body of water, lots of sun, good food, and friends & family. 

What's the best piece of advice someone has given you?

Doing it scared is better than never doing it at all.

What's a fun fact about yourself that most people wouldn't know?

I've been to 10 countries!

Clean Transportation in the News!

• Trucking Dive 4.17.26: Kodiak Expands Autonomous Trucking Program to Midwest
• Engine Technology Forum 4.21.26: SCR and DEF in Context - What Policy Makers Should Know About Diesel Emissions, Reliability, and Recent EPA Guidelines
• ACT News 4.24.26: How Fleets Can Shape the Future of Freight
• USA Today 4.27.26: ChargePoint Unveils Its Fastest EV Charger. Here's What It Can Do
• WLFI.com 5.1.26: Lafayette Joins 400+ Cities Recognized for Safer Bike Routes
• Supply Chain Brain 5.4.26: How Transportation Leaders Are Turning Sustainability Into Resilience
• ACT News 5.5.26: State of Sustainable Fleets Report Finds Diversification Driving Fleet Resilience
• TruckNews.com 5.11.26: Leading Clean Fleets Recognized at ACT Expo
• Brownfield Ag News 5.12.26: How One Northwest Indiana Dairy Farm Is Turning Waste Into Water
• Charged Electric Vehicle Magazine 5.14.26: As Other Automakers Retrench, Toyota Has Four New EVs In The Works
• Building Indiana Business 5.18.26: Frustration at the Pump: Why Americans are Exploring Electric Vehicles

Upcoming Events & Opportunities!

• Crossroads, Clean Energy & Transportation May Webinar - Clear the Air: A Conversation with NWI Partners for Clean Air - May 26, 2026
• EV Showcase at EarthFest - May 30, 2026
• NWI Partners for Clean Air Awards Luncheon - June 11, 2026
• DCI 14th Annual Clean Air Golf Outing - August 25, 2026
• DCI Crossroads Clean Tech Conference - November 18, 2026