Net Metering Bill Passes House

The Indiana House passed a bill changing the state’s net metering policy. The bill passed 56-43.

Many lawmakers spoke against it Tuesday evening, citing extraordinary negative public input and saying the matter should be studied further. Rep. Mike Speedy (R-Indianapolis) says his opposition was purely economic.

“This makes no sense for us to turn our backs on competition, choice, freedom and stuff it to small business,” says Speedy.

But Republican Rep. Dave Ober, who co-sponsored the bill, says the General Assembly can roll it back next session if Hoosiers feel those negative impacts.

“If this bill is enacted and it creates a problem, I guarantee you that we’ll be back addressing this as we probably will with distributed generation for the next 10 years,” Ober says.

Currently, more than 1,000 Hoosiers participate in net metering. They generate their own energy using solar panels or wind turbines, and they can get a credit on their utility bill if they generate more energy than they use. This bill lowers the amount of credit.

The Senate now needs to approve the House changes to the bill. If the Senate doesn’t agree to the changes, the bill will go to a conference committee.