DONATE
Power lines near an Indiana ethanol plant.
Justin Hicks/IPB NewsA bill that aims to create a statewide energy plan passed the state House on Monday. HB 1007 requires the state agency that oversees utilities — the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission — to consider five things in most of its decisions: reliability, affordability, resiliency, stability and environmental sustainability.
The bill also cuts in half the amount of power utilities can buy from the grid during peak demand. That means they’d have to show they can generate about 85 percent of their energy themselves or from contracts with other companies.
Proponents of the bill hope it will help ensure electric utilities in the state are reliable as Indiana moves toward more renewable energy sources. It now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
READ MORE: Bill lays out Indiana statewide energy plan, reliability requirements for utilities.
Rebecca is our energy and environment reporter. Contact her at rthiele@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @beckythiele.
9(MDAyMzk1MzA4MDE2MjY3OTY1MjM5ZDJjYQ000))
Support WFYI. We can't do it without you.