Another bill that he shouldn’t sign is headed to Gov. Mike Pence’s desk, but there is no doubt he will affix his signature to it.
Senate Bill 412 was passed by the state Senate Tuesday and is meant to replace the Energizing Indiana program, which lawmakers canceled last year. This bill turns the consumer-oriented Energizing Indiana program on its ear.
The program lawmakers decided to kill encouraged conservation by the end user. It was based on the premise that “saving energy is the most cost effective way of meeting future energy supply needs.” It required an independent contractor to run five core programs of home energy assessments, residential lighting, low-income, weatherization, energy efficient schools and commercial and industrial programs, and they all showed large savings in energy use.
The Energizing Indiana program, developed by the Mitch Daniels administration was working well when it was stopped. However, energy companies were not thrilled with it.
The new bill allows companies to create and submit their own plans for energy efficiency and further, allows for some large energy companies to opt out. It tilts energy efficiency toward the side of the companies that produce electricity and away from individual consumers who want to find ways to use less of it, and consequently pay less for it.
It is clearly a step backward for the state in the area of energy policy.
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