ICV Legislative Update: Week of January 24, 2025
This week, more than 150 clean energy advocates from across the state gathered at the Statehouse for Renew
able Energy Day, where the focus was on the need for independent community solar legislation. You can check out our new blog post on the community solar bills that have been introduced this session.
Also this week, our Community and Government Affairs Manager testified in House and Senate Utilities committees to oppose dangerous language that shifts costs and financial risks of small nuclear reactors or SMRs to Hoosiers.
Excerpts from the testimony:
“…the inclusion of SMR project development costs in rate recovery without a guarantee of project necessity by the IURC or project completion, puts Hoosiers at risk of permanently paying for energy that does not exist. In 2008, similar language, the Base Load Review Act, passed in South Carolina, led to a failed $9 billion dollar expansion project of two nuclear reactors. Ratepayers are still on the hook for a project that began construction in 2012 and subsequently abandoned in 2017.”
“…other states have ratepayers still paying for failed projects because utilities were able to bill customers for project development and preconstruction costs up front.”
News coverage of the legislation:
Indiana Capital Chronicle: GOP lawmakers eye small nuclear in Indiana, despite advocate concerns
Indiana Public Media: Tech companies could share cost of small nuclear plant pilot program under bill passed by committee
THIS WEEK: ICV HOSTS WATER STEWARDSHIP DAY
Join us on Tuesday for a day of advocacy and action as we come together to champion responsible water stewardship in Indiana!
You’ll have the opportunity to meet with your legislators, hear from expert speakers and engage in hands-on activities focused on preserving our vital water systems. A complimentary lunch will be provided.
BUS INFO: We have a bus coming from Northwest Indiana with pickup locations in Michigan City and Merrillville, with potential for adding a stop in Lafayette if there is enough demand. Please register for transportation with this link by Sunday, January 26, to secure your seat on the bus.
There are plenty of seats available right now but space is limited—there are no guaranteed seats unless you sign up with the link provided.
BILLS WE ARE WATCHING
HB 1628: Property Development Matters. This bill includes language that limits local control of siting for energy generation facilities, water and gas pipelines and transmission projects.
BILL UPDATES
OPPOSE: Senate Bills 423/424 contains identical language which creates a pathway for utilities to bill ratepayers up front for SMR project development costs.
SB 423 and SB 424 passed out of the Senate Utilities Committee on Thursday and is now headed to the full Senate. Take action by contacting your Senator using our form below or by calling their office to oppose these pieces of legislation.
OPPOSE: House Bill 1007 shifts costs of small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) and outdated coal generation costs on to ratepayers.
Amendments on Tuesday increased the tax credit to 20%, meaning an estimated $280 million minimum of taxpayer money per SMR manufactured in the state and allows utilities to charge ratepayers for utility losses if the state forces utilities to keep burning dirty, expensive coal.
HB1007 scheduled for amend and vote only in House Utilities Committee on Jan. 28 at 10:30 am
SUPPORT – House Bill 1371 and House Bill 1581/Senate Bill 541 legislation to enable community solar in Indiana. Contact your legislator, especially if they serve on the House or Senate Utilities Committees, and urge them to support community solar.
SUPPORT – Senate Bill 422: supporting technologies to make our energy grid more efficient and reliable for the future. Contact your legislator, especially if they serve on the Senate Utilities Committee, and urge them to support SB 422.
NEUTRAL: Senate Bill 4: establishing a permitting structure for significant water withdrawals, currently excluding the LEAP district and most groundwater withdrawals.
SUPPORT: HB 1553: implements a reporting requirement for polluters of PFAS, and a testing and reporting requirement for landowners who would apply biosolids to their land.
OPPOSE: HB 538: creates a definition of PFAS that excludes some of the most commonly used PFAS chemicals.
OTHER BILL HEARINGS
1/28/2025 – House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications, 10:30 AM, Rm. 156-A
1/29/2025 – House Environmental Affairs, 1:30 PM, Rm. 156-B
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS
🚨 Tell Indiana lawmakers consumers can’t afford to bankroll utilities + big business! 🚨
Indiana lawmakers currently are considering multiple bills that would shift the enormous potential costs of development and deployment of untested energy production onto ratepayers. One bill would even allow utilities to charge ratepayers for losses if the state forces them to keep burning dirty, expensive coal.
Contact your representative today and tell them you want utilities and big businesses to pay for their own research and development of experimental technologies. Hard-working Hoosiers can’t afford any more charges on their monthly bills!
We need your voice in the fight against PFAS!
Share your concern about the risks of PFAS and voice your support for Representative Cash’s polluter accountability and transparency bill Senate Bill 1286 with one click!
GOOD NEWS SATURDAY
SB 211 – The bill securing a permanent funding option for invasives management through Clean Water Indiana has passed Third Reading and is moving to the House with Rep. Abbot as House sponsor!
SB 1237 – Though it hasn’t moved yet, Rep. Garcia Wilburn’s bill would designate the Indiana bat as the state mammal! 🦇
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 19: Conservation Day at the Statehouse 2025 (Indiana Conservation Alliance)
February 24: Indiana RSS REAP/Non-Profit Solar 101: Crawfordsville
February 28: 2025 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference
March 10: 2025 Audubon Great Lakes: Advocacy Day at the Indiana Statehouse
