Tuesday, February 16, 2010
New Blog for Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates (IDEA)
Please note that a new blog has been created for Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates (IDEA). Please visit our new site http://www.indianadg.org/.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Senate, House panels approve `net metering' bills
This version of the AP story appeared in the Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012104271.html
By RICK CALLAHAN
The Associated Press
Thursday, January 21, 2010; 6:51 PM
INDIANAPOLIS -- A bill aimed at utility customers who install renewable power sources such as wind turbines is seriously flawed and would hurt Indiana's renewable energy movement, clean energy advocates told a state Senate committee Thursday.
The bill would expand the number of customers who can send excess power from wind, solar and other renewable energy systems back into the electric grid - an option currently limited to schools and homeowners.
But before the Senate Utilities and Technology Committee approved the bill 8-3 and sent it to the full Senate, it endorsed changes that drew strong criticism from supporters of efforts to expand Indiana's "net metering" rules.
Current rules allow homeowners and schools that generate up to 10 kilowatts per customer to get credit on future bills for excess power they produce. The amended bill sponsored by Sen. James Merritt, R-Indianapolis, would bar customers who generate more than 10 kilowatts from carrying over such credit on future bills.
"You will kill net metering if you do not allow customers to roll over credit," said Laura Arnold, president of Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates.
Arnold called the amended bill "seriously flawed" and told the committee that customers' ability to carry over energy credits makes renewable energy systems more attractive by helping offset the cost of those systems.
The new provision would deal a big blow to fledgling efforts to encourage the adoption of renewable power sources in Indiana, said Mike Mullett of the Sierra Club's Indiana chapter.
Both the Senate bill and a separate bill that passed a House committee Thursday aim to increase the amount of power that can be sent back into the grid and extend that option to businesses, industries and municipalities.
Before Thursday's meeting, Merritt's bill would have boosted the net metering limit from 10 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts. But another change removed the 100 kilowatt reference and specified that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission would be charged with determining the power caps for various classes of customers.
Merritt, who chairs the Senate panel, said he was surprised by the strong opposition to his amended bill. But he said his bill and the one that passed an Indiana House panel are certain to undergo many changes in the coming weeks.
"They're constantly under the microscope," he said.
The bill approved by the House Commerce and Energy Committee is sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-South Bend.
Dvorak said he's encouraged by what he sees as growing support, particularly among industries, for the Legislature to pass an expansion of net metering. He noted that among the supporters that testified in favor of his bill Thursday were representatives of Columbus-based engine maker Cummins Inc.
"Hopefully this year we've got a good push coming from not only the renewable energy folks but the traditional industrial class in this state as well," he said.
This article brought to you by Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates (IDEA).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012104271.html
By RICK CALLAHAN
The Associated Press
Thursday, January 21, 2010; 6:51 PM
INDIANAPOLIS -- A bill aimed at utility customers who install renewable power sources such as wind turbines is seriously flawed and would hurt Indiana's renewable energy movement, clean energy advocates told a state Senate committee Thursday.
The bill would expand the number of customers who can send excess power from wind, solar and other renewable energy systems back into the electric grid - an option currently limited to schools and homeowners.
But before the Senate Utilities and Technology Committee approved the bill 8-3 and sent it to the full Senate, it endorsed changes that drew strong criticism from supporters of efforts to expand Indiana's "net metering" rules.
Current rules allow homeowners and schools that generate up to 10 kilowatts per customer to get credit on future bills for excess power they produce. The amended bill sponsored by Sen. James Merritt, R-Indianapolis, would bar customers who generate more than 10 kilowatts from carrying over such credit on future bills.
"You will kill net metering if you do not allow customers to roll over credit," said Laura Arnold, president of Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates.
Arnold called the amended bill "seriously flawed" and told the committee that customers' ability to carry over energy credits makes renewable energy systems more attractive by helping offset the cost of those systems.
The new provision would deal a big blow to fledgling efforts to encourage the adoption of renewable power sources in Indiana, said Mike Mullett of the Sierra Club's Indiana chapter.
Both the Senate bill and a separate bill that passed a House committee Thursday aim to increase the amount of power that can be sent back into the grid and extend that option to businesses, industries and municipalities.
Before Thursday's meeting, Merritt's bill would have boosted the net metering limit from 10 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts. But another change removed the 100 kilowatt reference and specified that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission would be charged with determining the power caps for various classes of customers.
Merritt, who chairs the Senate panel, said he was surprised by the strong opposition to his amended bill. But he said his bill and the one that passed an Indiana House panel are certain to undergo many changes in the coming weeks.
"They're constantly under the microscope," he said.
The bill approved by the House Commerce and Energy Committee is sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-South Bend.
Dvorak said he's encouraged by what he sees as growing support, particularly among industries, for the Legislature to pass an expansion of net metering. He noted that among the supporters that testified in favor of his bill Thursday were representatives of Columbus-based engine maker Cummins Inc.
"Hopefully this year we've got a good push coming from not only the renewable energy folks but the traditional industrial class in this state as well," he said.
This article brought to you by Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates (IDEA).
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Net Metering Bills Moving in House & Senate Committees
House Hearing, Amendments & Vote on HB 1090 Net Metering
HB 1094 net metering bill introduced by Rep. Ryan Dvorak is scheduled for amendments and a vote in the House Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities Committee on Thursday, January 21st starting at 8 am in Room 156C, State House Indianapolis.
Watch video from the House Conference Room 156c
House Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities Committee Members
Rep. Win Moses, Chair, HD 81 (D-Fort Wayne) h81@in.gov
Rep. Matt Pierce, Vice Chair, HD 61 (D-Bloomington) h61@in.gov
Rep. Kreg Battles, HD 64 (D-Vincennes) h64@in.gov
Rep. Sandy Blanton, HD 62 (D-Orleans) h62@in.gov
Rep. Ryan Dvorak, HD 8 (D-South Bend) h8@in.gov
Rep. Scott Reske, HD 37 (D-Pendleton) h37@in.gov
Rep. Dan Stevenson, HD 11 (D-Highland) h11@in.gov
Rep. Jack Lutz, RMM, HD 35, (R-Anderson) h35@in.gov
Rep. Eric Koch, HD 65 (R-Bedford) h65@in.gov
Rep. Robert Behning, HD 91 (R-Indianapolis) h91@in.gov
Rep. David Frizzell, HD 93 (R-Indianapolis) h93@in.gov
Rep. Ed Soliday, HD 4 (R-Valparaiso) h4@in.gov
Watch video from the Senate Conference Room 233
Senate Utilities and Technology Committee Members:
Sen. James Merritt, Chair, SD 31 (R-Indianapolis) s31@in.gov
Sen. Scott Schneider, SD 30 (R-Indianapolis) s30@in.gov
Sen. Beverly Gard, SD 28 (R-Greenfield) s28@in.gov
Sen. Dennis Kruse, SD 14 (R-Auburn) s14@in.gov
Sen. Jean Leising, SD 42 (R-Oldenburg) s42@in.gov
Sen. Marlin Stutzman, SD 13 (R-Howe) s13@in.gov
Sen. Carlin Yoder, SD 12 (R-Middlebury) s12@in.gov
Sen. Jean Breaux, SD 34 (D-Indianapolis) s34@in.gov
Sen. Bob Deig, SD 49 (D-Mt. Vernon) s49@in.gov
Sen. Sue Errington, SD 26 (D-Muncie) s26@in.gov
Sen. Lonnie Randolph, SD 2 (D-East Chicago) s2@in.gov
Senate Republican staff http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/staff.html
Senate Democratic Staff http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/staff.htm
Key:
RMM = Ranking Minority Member
HD = House District
SD = Senate District
E-mail: h#@in.gov, s#@in.gov
Note: in place of the "#" symbol, add the legislator's district number (one or two digits)
HB 1094 net metering bill introduced by Rep. Ryan Dvorak is scheduled for amendments and a vote in the House Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities Committee on Thursday, January 21st starting at 8 am in Room 156C, State House Indianapolis.
Watch video from the House Conference Room 156c
House Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities Committee Members
Rep. Win Moses, Chair, HD 81 (D-Fort Wayne) h81@in.gov
Rep. Matt Pierce, Vice Chair, HD 61 (D-Bloomington) h61@in.gov
Rep. Kreg Battles, HD 64 (D-Vincennes) h64@in.gov
Rep. Sandy Blanton, HD 62 (D-Orleans) h62@in.gov
Rep. Ryan Dvorak, HD 8 (D-South Bend) h8@in.gov
Rep. Scott Reske, HD 37 (D-Pendleton) h37@in.gov
Rep. Dan Stevenson, HD 11 (D-Highland) h11@in.gov
Rep. Jack Lutz, RMM, HD 35, (R-Anderson) h35@in.gov
Rep. Eric Koch, HD 65 (R-Bedford) h65@in.gov
Rep. Robert Behning, HD 91 (R-Indianapolis) h91@in.gov
Rep. David Frizzell, HD 93 (R-Indianapolis) h93@in.gov
Rep. Ed Soliday, HD 4 (R-Valparaiso) h4@in.gov
State legislators can also be reached through their Legislative Assistants.
House Staff are listed for state legislators as follows:
House Democrats http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/caucus_staff.html
House Republicans http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/staff.html
Senate Hearing on SB 313 Net Metering
SB 313 net metering bill introduced by Sen. Jim Merritt is scheduled for a a committee hearing in the Senate Utilities and Technology Committee on Thursday, January 21st starting at 9 am Room 233, State House, Indianapolis.Watch video from the Senate Conference Room 233
Senate Utilities and Technology Committee Members:
Sen. James Merritt, Chair, SD 31 (R-Indianapolis) s31@in.gov
Sen. Scott Schneider, SD 30 (R-Indianapolis) s30@in.gov
Sen. Beverly Gard, SD 28 (R-Greenfield) s28@in.gov
Sen. Dennis Kruse, SD 14 (R-Auburn) s14@in.gov
Sen. Jean Leising, SD 42 (R-Oldenburg) s42@in.gov
Sen. Marlin Stutzman, SD 13 (R-Howe) s13@in.gov
Sen. Carlin Yoder, SD 12 (R-Middlebury) s12@in.gov
Sen. Jean Breaux, SD 34 (D-Indianapolis) s34@in.gov
Sen. Bob Deig, SD 49 (D-Mt. Vernon) s49@in.gov
Sen. Sue Errington, SD 26 (D-Muncie) s26@in.gov
Sen. Lonnie Randolph, SD 2 (D-East Chicago) s2@in.gov
Senate Republican staff http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/staff.html
Senate Democratic Staff http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/staff.htm
Key:
RMM = Ranking Minority Member
HD = House District
SD = Senate District
E-mail: h#@in.gov, s#@in.gov
Note: in place of the "#" symbol, add the legislator's district number (one or two digits)
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Welcome to Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates
Support our efforts to get better net metering regulations and to establish advanced renewable energy contracts or feed-in tariffs in the State of Indiana.
Send your donation to Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates via PayPal TODAY.
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