Wednesday, January 30, 2008

HB 1280 to Require Energy Efficient Buildings Passes House by 51 to 44

Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) introduced HB 1280 to maximize energy efficiency in buildings, to save taxpayers money and to make the state more energy independent. Debate on third reading at the microphone at 5:30 pm as it approached the dinner hour for most Hoosiers was limited. After Rep. Pierce briefly explained the bill, Rep. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville) and Rep. William Friend (R-Macy) spoke against the bill stating that Indiana hardwood lumber would be harmed by HB 1280. Rep. Pierce responded to their opposition by pointing out that the bill allowed both LEEDS and Green Globes as an option for building construction. Rep. Pierce explained that using locally available materials such as Indiana hardwood lumber would accumulate points under the system.

DIGEST OF HB 1280 ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS. Requires a building or structure constructed, reconstructed, repaired, altered, or retrofitted under certain public works contracts entered into after December 31, 2008, to be designed with the goal of achieving the silver rating under the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the Green Globes Two Globes level, or an equivalent standard under an equivalent rating system that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute. Provides that the certification requirement does not apply to a public works contract entered into by a school corporation. Provides that for state agency purchases, there is a 5% price preference for certain office equipment that is compliant with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star ratings. Allows the Indiana economic development corporation to adopt rules allowing the corporation to give priority to economic development projects that meet or surpass the standards of the leadership in energy and environmental design ratings systems developed by the U.S. Green Building Council or the Green Building Initiative.

Rep. Pierce will be speaking at the Indiana Building Green Symposium 2008
January 31 - February 01, 2008 - Indianapolis, Indiana.
See www.indianabuildinggreen.org.

See how your state legislator voted on HB 1280 at
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2008/PDF/Hrollcal/0147.PDF.pdf

HB 1090 Climate Registry Fails 01/29/08; Passes 01/30/08

Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) introduced HB 1090 regarding the climate registry.

THE CLIMATE REGISTRY is a collaboration between states, provinces and tribes aimed at developing and managing a common greenhouse gas emissions reporting system with high integrity that is capable of supporting various greenhouse gas emission reporting and reduction policies for its member states and tribes and reporting entities. It will provide an accurate, complete, consistent, transparent and verified set of greenhouse gas emissions data from reporting entities, supported by a robust accounting and verification infrastructure.

For more details see http://www.theclimateregistry.org/.

DIGEST OF HB 1090 (Updated January 28, 2008 4:37 pm - DI 84)

Climate registry. Requires the state of Indiana to become a member of and participate in the climate registry concerning greenhouse gas emissions reporting and reduction. Requires the governor or the governor's designee to sign the climate registry's statement of principles and goals to become a member of the climate registry and deliver a copy of the signed statement to the climate registry before July 1, 2008.

Reread third time: failed for lack of constitutional majority Roll Call 78: Yeas 50, Nays 47. House rules require that bills receive a constitutional majority of 51 votes to pass third reading. If a bill does not receive 51 votes againt it as it was in this case it is also not defeated and therefore, the author can try again. Rep. Dvorak tried again today (01/30/08) around 11 AM and the bill passed 53 to 43.

To see how your state representative voted the first time see:
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2008/PDF/Hrollcal/0078.PDF.pdf

To see how your state representative voted the second time see:
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2008/PDF/Hrollcal/0130.PDF.pdf

If you are wondering who switched their votes, Reps. Neese, Soliday and Ulmer switched their votes from "No" to "Yes". Thank you for your support of the Climate Registry Reps. Neese, Soliday and Ulmer.

HB 1117 Amended to Add Wind and Anaerobic Digester Tax Credits

Earlier this week (01/28/08) a coal bill, HB 1117, was amended by a voice vote on second reading on the House floor to add a state income tax credit for equipment used to produce energy derived from the use of wind or from the use of anaerobic digesters. The amount of the credit is equal to ten percent (10%) of the purchase price. HB 1117 passed third reading 01/29/08 by a vote of 81 to 8. Again, the votes against this bill appear to be in opposition to the original subject of the bill and not the renewable tax credit language that was added on second reading. Rep. Dale Grubb (D-Covington) offered the amendment.

See how your state representative voted visit:
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2008/PDF/Hrollcal/0082.PDF.pdf.

HB 1117 Amended Digest: Coal gasification and substitute natural gas. Provides that a taxpayer awarded a coal gasification technology investment tax credit may agree to use less than 100% Indiana coal in the qualifying coal gasification project and qualify for the credit if the taxpayer: (1) wishes to assign the tax credit; and (2) certifies to the Indiana economic development corporation that partial use of other coal is necessary to result in lower rates for Indiana retail utility customers. Changes the definition of "substitute natural gas" to include gas: (1) produced by a facility outside Indiana; and (2) converted from coal from a location other than the Illinois basin. Changes the definition of a "customer choice program" to include customers located in the service area of an electric utility. Provides that when substitute natural gas (SNG) purchase obligations are proportionally assigned due to a customer choice program, the assignee must meet the assignment requirements in the previously approved contract for purchase of the SNG. Provides that a taxpayer that purchases from an Indiana business certain equipment used to produce energy derived from the use of wind or from the use of anaerobic digestors is entitled to a credit against state income tax liability. Provides that the amount of the credit is 10% of the purchase price of the equipment.

The language of the amendment is as follows:
Chapter 32. Credit for Purchase of Qualified Equipment Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "pass through entity" means: (1) a corporation that is exempt from the adjusted gross income tax under IC 6-3-2-2.8(2); (2) a partnership; (3) a limited liability company; or (4) a limited liability partnership. Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "qualified equipment" means equipment used to produce energy that is: (1) for retail or commercial use; and (2) derived from the use of wind or from the use of anaerobic digestors. Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "state income tax liability" means a taxpayer's total tax liability that is incurred under IC 6-3-1 through IC 6-3-7, as computed after the application of the credits that under IC 6-3.1-1-2 are to be applied before the credit provided by this chapter. Sec. 4. (a) A taxpayer that purchases qualified equipment from an Indiana business (as certified by the Indiana economic development corporation) in a taxable year is entitled to a credit against state income tax liability for that taxable year. The amount of the credit is equal to ten percent (10%) of the purchase price of the qualified equipment. (b) A taxpayer may not claim a credit under this chapter for the purchase of qualified equipment if the taxpayer claims another state income tax credit or deduction for that same qualified equipment. Sec. 5. If a pass through entity is entitled to a credit under this chapter but does not have state income tax liability against which the tax credit may be applied, a shareholder, partner, or member of the pass through entity is entitled to a tax credit equal to: (1) the tax credit determined for the pass through entity for the taxable year; multiplied by (2) the percentage of the pass through entity's distributive income to which the shareholder, partner, or member is entitled. Sec. 6. (a) If the amount of the credit determined under this chapter for a taxpayer in a taxable year exceeds the taxpayer's state income tax liability for that taxable year, the taxpayer may carry the excess credit over for a period not to exceed the taxpayer's following five (5) taxable years. The amount of the credit carryover from a taxable year shall be reduced to the extent that the carryover is used by the taxpayer to obtain a credit under this chapter for any subsequent taxable year. (b) A taxpayer is not entitled to a carryback or a refund of any unused credit amount. Sec. 7. To receive the credit provided by this chapter, a taxpayer must claim the credit on the taxpayer's state tax return or returns in the manner prescribed by the department. Sec. 8. The department, with the assistance of the Indiana utility regulatory commission, shall adopt rules necessary to carry out this chapter.

To read the full text of the bill see: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2008/PDF/HB/HB1117.2.pdf.

This bill now moves to the Indiana State Senate for further consideration and deliberation. The Senate Sponsors are Sen. Hershman and Sen. R. Young. The bill has already been assigned to the Senate Committee on Utilities and Regulatory Affairs chaired by Sen. Hershman who also introduced SB 224.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

SB 224 With Weak RES Passes Indiana Senate 39 to 9

Although HB 1102 to establish a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) and HB 1098 to revise the net metering and interconnection rules were defeated in the House Commerce, Energy and Utilities Committee last week, several other renewable energy proposals are still alive at the Indiana General Assembly. One of those bills is SB 224 introduced by Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Monticello). SB 224 started out as a clean coal bill but was amended to add RES language in the Senate Utilities & Regulatory Affairs Committee chaired by Sen. Hershman. HB 1117 will be addressed in another post to this blog.

Last night (01/29/08) around 7:00 pm the Indiana Senate passed third reading on weaker RES language in SB 224. The bill passed 39 to 9. See the roll call at http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2008/PDF/Srollcal/0140.PDF.pdf. It appears that the votes against the bill were in opposition to the controversial utility tracker language and not the RES language.

Here is what the bill includes as renewable energy resources:

Sec. 8. (a) As used in this chapter, "renewable energy resources" means alternative sources of renewable energy, including the following: (1) Wind energy. (2) Solar energy. (3) Photovoltaic cells and panels. (4) Dedicated crops grown for energy production and used as: (A) the sole fuel; or (B) part of a co-firing application; in an energy generating facility. (5) Organic waste biomass, including any of the following organic matter that is available on a renewable basis: (A) agricultural crops. (B) Agricultural wastes and residues. (C) Wood and wood wastes (other than treated or painted lumber) including the following: (i) Wood residues. (ii) Forest thinnings. (iii) Mill residue wood. (iv) Waste from construction and demolition. (D) Animal wastes. (E) Aquatic plants. (6) Hydropower from existing dams. (7) Fuel cells. (8) Energy from waste to energy facilities that produce steam that is not used for the production of electricity. (9) Methane systems that convert waste products, including animal, food, and plant waste, into electricity. (10) Methane recovered from landfills or underground coal mines. (11) Ocean current or wave energy. (12) Any other sources that: (A) are included in any applicable federal renewable resource portfolio standard; or (B) become available through future developments in renewable energy technologies.

Here is the time table:

Two percent (2%) by December 31, 2011; four percent (4%) by December 31, 2011; and six percent (6%) of the electricity supplier's Indiana retail sales by December 31, 2020. An electricity supplier may not use an advanced energy resource to supply more than fifty percent (50%) of the electricity that the electricity supplier is required to supply.

Here’s the catch though. The definition of advanced energy resource is as follows:

Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "advanced energy resources" includes the following sources and programs for the production or conservation of electricity: (1) Combined heat and power systems that: (A) use natural gas or renewable energy resources as feedstock; and (B) achieve at least seventy percent (70%) overall efficiency. (2) Demand side management or energy efficiency programs that: (A) reduce electricity consumption; or (B) implement load management or demand response technologies that shift customers' electric load from periods of higher demand to periods of lower demand. (3) Waste coal. (4) Clean coal and energy projects (as defined in IC 8-1-8.8-2). (5) Other non carbon dioxide emitting or low carbon dioxide emitting electricity generating technologies, including integrated gasification combined cycle generation with the capability for carbon capture and sequestration through: (A) storage; or (B) enhanced oil recovery.

That means that 50% of the requirements under this proposed legislation can be met by burning more coal!

For all the full copy of SB 224 including the controversial utility tracker mechanism included in this bill see http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2008/PDF/SB/SB0224.2.pdf.

SB 224 now moves to the Indiana House. The House Sponsors include Representative Battles, Grubb, Lutz and Crooks. Watch this blog for more details as this proposed legislation moves during the second half of the 2008 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Send "thank you" to supporters of HB 1102; Express disappointment to those voting against HB 1102

Members of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association were deeply disappointed that on 01/24/08 members of the House Commerce, Energy and Utilities Committee voted 8 to 3 against HB 1102 to establish a Renewable Electricity Standard. The bill would have required electric utilities to obtain 10% of its power from renewable resources by 2018.

Voting in favor of HB 1102 were:
Chairman and Bill Author David Crooks (D-Washington) h63@in.gov;
Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) h8@in.gov; and
Rep. Sandra Blanton (D-Orleans) h62@in.gov.

We urge that you send a “thank you” to these state legislators as well as HB 1102 Co-author Rep. John Ulmer (R-Goshen) h49@in.gov.

Voting against HB 1102 were:
Rep. Kreg Battles (D-Vincennes) h64@in.gov;
Rep. Chester Dobis (D-Merrillville) h13@in.gov ;
Rep. Dan Stevenson (D-Highland) h11@in.gov;
Rep. Jack Lutz (R-Anderson) h35@in.gov;
Rep. Tim Neese (R-Elkhart) h48@in.gov;
Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) h4@in.gov;
Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) h91@in.gov; and
Rep. David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis) h93@in.gov.

We urge that you express your disappointment with these state legislators for not supporting this renewable energy economic development proposal for our state.

Rep. Paul Robertson, (D-DePauw) was absent and not voting.

No Vote Taken on HB 1098 on net metering

Members of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association presented testimony 01/24/08 before the House Commerce, Energy and Utilities Committee on HB 1098 to revise the net metering and interconnection rules. Copies of the State Scorecard from Freeing the Grid: 2007 Edition were distributed to the members of the committee. The report shows the State of Indiana earning a "D" in both net metering and interconnection.

See http://www.newenergychoices.org/bravo.php?blog_entry_id=210


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Department of Psychology (574) 631-6650
118 Haggar Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 FAX: (574) 631-8883
January 24, 2008


Dear State Representative Dvorak,


I’m writing a book that deals with the greening of corporate America called “Zap” and will hit bookstores this summer. In the last six months the pace of change in alternative energy has increased dramatically. Unfortunately the complexity of the issues involved has also increased. Due to state based incentives, RPS standards and net metering regulations, some states are reaping the economic benefits while others fall behind. Unfortunately our great state of Indiana has fallen behind, but I remain optimistic that you and your colleagues will pass legislation that will propel Indiana into the future. There is more than corn in Indiana…and there is also more than coal. We have a plentiful source of wind and an abundance of solar insolation that we let slide through our hands every day.

Inovateus Development of South Bend, IN is the distributor of my latest book Stan Ovishinsky and the Hydrogen Economy and I’ve asked them to send all of the state representatives in your committee a copy. I believe Stan’s contributions to the field soon will be recognized as seminal. For example, I believe that his UNI-SOLAR photovoltaic cells are far and away the best solar cells on the market for a variety of important reasons. Inovateus is also a world-wide distributor of these cells and ships them for installations just about everywhere besides Indiana and a few other states such as Mississippi and West Virginia. T.J. Kanczuzewski, the Vice President of the firm testified before you last week and spoke about the importance of a mandate and better net metering regulations.

In my new book on the greening of corporate America, I talk about how the net metering regulations can be a very large factor for corporate and business installations. I’ve been working with Inovateus on their ventures with Proctor and Gamble, Black and Decker, Energizer Battery and even Duke Realty which is headquartered in Indianapolis. Since there are no current net metering standards for such an install, Indiana has lost a possible Duke Realty install to Illinois. Out of the $3.2 million the project costs, nearly 1 million will be going to local contractors and installers. If we intend on loosing economic opportunites such as these, we should continue to do much of the same. Please contact me for any information or renewable data. I can be reached at Notre Dame at 574-631-5423 (leave a telephone number if I’m unavailable).

Sincerely,


Dr. George Howard
University of Notre Dame
--------------------------------------------------------

Written comments submitted by Eric Cotton
ECI Wind and Solar LLC
9005 East 1125 South
Fairmount, IN 46928
888-4ECIWAS
info@eciwindandsolar.com


HB 1098 – Netmetering Rules


Before suggesting amendments to the existing net metering laws, it is important to define net metering as we see it.

Net Metering Definition:

Interconnecting a customer owned co-generation facility with the existing utility grid in order to provide electricity only for the interconnected facility, and allowing the interconnected facility to acquire one-for-one credits from the utility company for each KW hour supplied to the utility grid by the co-generation facility.

Net metering should be a tool to encourage growth in the renewable economy while not making it a burden on existing electricity service providers. It is important to distinguish that net metering is a way for companies and individuals to maximize the financial outlook of a renewable energy installation and not away to force utility companies to pay a premium for power. It is important to create a rule that has the most benefit for customers while protecting the wholesale electricity market and pricing structure. This is accomplished by limiting the “remuneration” provided to the customer by the utility company to an energy credit and not a dollar amount. This maximizes the viability of the system for users by assuring that every KW Hour of production is able to be used by the facility, and it protects the utility companies by eliminating those who might seek to exploit the netmetering rules for their own profiteering.

Our goal with netmetering is to provide all Indiana customers with renewable energy facilities of up to 250 KW to receive a full KW Hour credit for every KW Hour of power that is supplied to the local grid. This credit should be able to roll over, moth-to-month, whiled the customer has an interconnected cogeneration facility. At the end of this period, any generation provided to the utility by the customer will be granted to the utility and no further remuneration will be due. (NOTE: having a yearly reset date leaves customers open to exploitation. For example if you have a cutoff date in September for a solar system, then that doesn’t help the customer because all of the generation happens in the summer. So you would be essentially eliminating their entire excess production every year.)

This prevents customers who only need a 100 KW facility from installing a 250 KW facility expecting that the utility will pay them full retail value for excess power generation from the 150 KW that was not required for the facility.

The State of Indiana currently has netmetering rules that could be very effective in stimulating growth and creating jobs in Indiana if they were altered in the following ways:

1) Currently, only residential customers and K-12 schools with investor owned utilities as service providers can have a renewable energy facility ‘net metered’. Because of the lack of State and Federal funding for renewable energy, it is important to expand the benefits of net metering to commercial customers as well. Commercial customers are the most likely sector to have the resources to purchase and install renewable energy facilities at their location. Making them eligible for net metering would go a long way to encouraging Indiana businesses to invest capitol in their own renewable electricity generating facilities, even in the face of zero state and federal subsidies.

2) Current net-metering laws limit maximum installed capacity to 10KW. Unfortunately this is only enough to produce about 1000 KW Hours per month of power. While this is sufficient for modest homes of up to about 1200 square feet, those with the means to install renewable energy facilities at their home or business typically use 2-25 times this amount. Raising the netmetering cap to 250KW installed nameplate capacity would help encourage growth in this sector.

3) Currently, net metering laws only apply to investor owned utility companies. A significant portion of potential Indiana renewable energy customers, and a very significant portion of potential Indiana wind energy customers, are served by REMC’s. While most REMC’s have polices that are not significant burdens to customers, some engage in very unfair practices. Regardless of which extreme a particular REMC is close to, these practices result in polices that, at best, create payback scenarios for RE systems that are beyond or exceed a systems’ expected life span. In the worst cases, the polices of the REMC make it so that it is cheaper for customers to give the power away for free to the REMC rather than pay the fees that would allow the RE system even to earn even 30 cents on the dollar for excess generation.

House Committee Defeats Renewable Energy Bill

NOTE: This AP story ran in the Indianapolis Star as well as other Indiana newspapers

Lawmakers reject renewable energy bill
By Rick Callahan
Associated Press
January 25, 2008

A House committee voted down a bill Thursday that would have required Indiana to generate 10 percent of its electricity from wind and other renewable sources by 2018 -- a measure supporters said would attract new investment to the state.

The House Commerce, Energy and Utilities Committee defeated the bill on a 8-3 vote after its chairman, Rep. Dave Crooks, D-Washington, refused to consider amendments he said were concessions to the state's electric utilities.

Crooks said those amendments included incentives for utilities to invest in so-called clean coal technology. Lawmakers have already provided ample incentives for the coal industry, Crooks said, adding that he wanted his bill to focus only on renewable energy.

"My desire was that if we're going to debate a renewable energy bill in this state it needs to be a pure renewable bill. Ten percent was a very reasonable percentage over the next 10 years -- many states are far above us," he said.

"I didn't want to dilute that further by throwing in these non-related items."
Crooks said it's still possible that a renewable energy proposal intended to bring wind, solar and biomass energy projects to the state could be revived in the House or Senate this session. However, he said that was not very likely.

He said a bill sponsored by Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, includes renewable energy provisions, along with clean-coal incentives and other proposals. Crooks said he does not favor that bill, which will come before his committee for consideration.

Supporters of Crooks' bill had argued that it was time for Indiana to join the 26 other states that already have mandatory renewable energy standards.

They said it would diversify Indiana's coal-dominated power industry and spark new investment and jobs.

Indiana obtains about 95 percent of its electric power from coal-fired power plants.

Jesse Kharbanda, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, said after Thursday's vote that the bill had been "a golden opportunity" for Indiana to send a signal to out-of-state investors that the state was eager to attract renewable energy businesses.
"Sadly that welcome message was not sent, and that is a missed opportunity for our state's environment and our economy," he said in a statement.

During a hearing last week before Crooks' committee, Ed Simcox, the president of the Indiana Energy Association, said Crooks' bill was too ambitious for Indiana and that it would have cost the state's utilities $5 billion to achieve the 10 percent renewable energy goal by 2018.
"The percentages are too great," Simcox said at that meeting.

He also said his utility industry group believes a state mandate isn't needed because companies are already pursuing renewable energy projects in Indiana without a mandate.
Simcox noted that the state's first wind farm is being built in northwest Indiana's Benton County and includes 87 1.5-megawatt wind turbines.

Kharbanda and other environmentalists have said that if Congress begins regulating carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the coming years, Indiana's electric customers could face big rate increases to pay for pollution controls on the state's power plants.

Indiana Renewable Energy Association Forms

For immediate release.
For more information:
Laura Ann Arnold 317-635-1701 or Terrence Black 317-822-8505

RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION FORMS IN INDIANA

Small business owners from across the state of Indiana gathered last week to form the Indiana Renewable Energy Association. The companies gathered on the eve of committee hearings at the Indiana General Assembly addressing renewable energy. Representatives of the newly formed association testified before the Senate Utilities & Regulatory Affairs Committee and the House Commerce Energy and Utilities Committee to support a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) for Indiana utilities.

Action is pending in three different committees of the Indiana General Assembly this week to establish a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). Tuesday (01/22/08) morning the House Agriculture & Economic Development Committee is considering an RES amendment to HB 1044. The Senate Utilities & Regulatory Affairs Committee upon adjournment on Tuesday afternoon (01/22/08) will consider RES language in SB 224. Thursday morning (01/24/08) the House Commerce, Energy and Utilities Committee is scheduled to address a revised version of HB 1102. To remain viable for the 2008 session, RES language must pass the full House or Senate by January 30th.

“Twenty-six other states currently have a mandatory Renewable Electricity Standard or RES”, said Laura Ann Arnold, organizer of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association. “Whether or not Indiana adopts an RES will impact future investment in wind power, solar, hydro or biomass generators to generate electricity in our state.”

“The Indiana Green Economy is already creating new jobs here in Indiana.” said Terrence Black a co-owner of Green Way Supply. “I believe that the Green Economy including renewable energy will create more than a million new jobs and help our environment at the same time. Establishing a Renewable Electricity Standard is an important first step. There is no down side to this.”

The Indiana Renewable Energy Association urges citizens to contact their state legislators and to urge support for a Renewable Electricity Standard this session.

For more information, please contact Laura Ann Arnold (317) 635-1701, larnold@indy.rr.com or one of the founding members of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association listed below:

Bright Idea Energy Solutions, 812-455-1039
Earth-Solar Technologies Corporation, 317-926-7000
ECI Wind and Solar, 888-4ECIWAS ext. 101
Green Broad Ripple, greenbroadripple@yahoo.com
Green Way Supply, 317-822-8505
Home & Mobile Energy LLC, 574-825-4800
Indy Solar Works LLC, 765-967-0015
Inovateus Development, 574-968-4424 ext. 4
Michiana Solar Products Co, 574-534-5087
Morton Energy, 812-490-3600
Solar Systems of Indiana, 812-336-2785
SunRise Solar Inc., 219-558-2211
SunWind Power Systems, Inc., 502-876-5174

Bright Idea Energy Solutions has its roots in the Energy Services Division, (ESCO), of Mounts Electric; a multi generational, family run operation founded in 1932. With offices in Indiana and Illinois, Bright Idea has excelled in the area of energy savings programs focused on lighting technologies, building and HVACR controls and economizers, inductive load efficiency and alternative power sources including renewable energy sources. As a company we adhere to business practices that are sustainable in the long term and are aware of the impact we have on the world around us. This awareness shapes who we are and how we conduct our business. We will always work hard to earn and maintain your trust.

Rick Will, President
Bright Idea Energy Solutions LLC
rwill@brightideaES.com
812-455-1039

Earth-Solar Technologies Corporation is a start-up that is developing capacity in central Indiana to manufacture energy systems of its own design which utilize sunlight, biomass and other renewable sources. The company's Sustainable Communities operation is currently working with city planners of two Indiana communities in redesigning their municipal infrastructure to accommodate a significant application of renewable energy and other advanced technologies beginning by 2010.

Keni Washington, Managing Director
Earth-Solar Technologies Corporation
902 Broadway
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317.926.7000
www.esolartech.com

ECI Wind and Solar is an Indiana based commercial and residential wind and solar electric systems contractor. Since 2005, we have been providing top quality battery-based and battery-less grid-tied wind and solar electric systems.

Eric Cotton
ECI Wind and Solar
9005 E. 1125 S
Fairmount, IN 46928
eric@eciwindandsolar.com
888-4ECIWAS ext. 101

Green Broad Ripple is non-profit organization whose goal is to create a sustainable master plan for the greater Broad Ripple area.

Neal Bennett
Green Broad Ripple
greenbroadripple@yahoo.com

Green Way Supply provides smart, earth friendly, renewable energy, and healthy alternatives to conventional building materials. Our objective is to help customers increase their comfort levels, improve indoor air quality, minimize their environmental impact and energy use, save money, and sustain our planet. Green Way Supply is a retailer and wholesaler of environmentally sensitive, energy intelligent, and healthy building materials serving homeowners and the building and design community. New green building products are beautiful and priced competitively so now you don't have to sacrifice your values or your budget for beauty and quality.

Fred Gray, Terry Black, and Randy Gray, Owners
Green Way Supply, Inc.
www.greenwaysupply.net
317-822-8505

Home & Mobile Energy of Middlebury has been in the renewable energy field since 2000.The first grid-tie net-metering systems in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan were pioneered by Home & Mobile Energy. As a result of this, HME has had a crucial part in training and working with the local utility companies in implementing a contract for their customers. They have also installed over 500 off-grid and gridtie solar; and wind systems in the United States and several other countries. Home & Mobile Energy designs, engineers, and builds all types of mobile power solutions for varied markets ranging from governmental applications to recreational vehicles. HME is the local sponsor for the National Solar Tour sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society. The 2007 Tour, held in September 2007, educated the general public how other area residents are trimming energy bills, increasing their energy independence, and taking steps to address global warming in the Michiana area.

Home & Mobile Energy LLC.1013 Elroy Dr.Middlebury IN 46540T: 574/825-4800F: 574/825-5182C: 574/536-9483E: leonb@homeandmobileenergy.com
web: www.homeandmobileenergy.com

Indy Solar Works is a design and installation firm that constructs commercial and industrial photovoltaic systems. We are dedicated to maintaining the best qualities of a small business while providing large capabilities to suite both industry needs and our earth’s timeline. This business was envisioned at Purdue some 10 years ago and is currently working in Indiana on some exciting projects. Indy Solar is ready and excited about bringing renewable energy business to the state of Indiana, and creating a healthier and happier existence for all of us.

Justin Brown
Indy Solar Works LLC
Jbrown@indysolarworks.com
765-967-0015

Inovateus Development is an alternative energy company based in South Bend, IN. As a worldwide distributor of United solar building integrated photovoltaic products, Inovateus, also, builds net-zero energy homes. The company is a strong supporter of Indiana’s economy and creating jobs. Rather than looking toward the past, Inovateus focuses on the future by being friendly to the earth.

T.J. Kanczuzewski, Vice President of Sales, 574-968-4424 ext. 4, tj@inovateus.com
Nathan Vogel, Dir. of Research, 574-968-4424 ext. 6, nathan@inovateus.com
Inovateus Development
www.inovateus.com

Michiana Solar Products Co. was founded in 1976 in Mishawaka, IN at the time of the first major energy crisis and serves customers in the counties on both sides of the Indiana/Michigan State line. Primary concerns at that time were space heating needs. With time, the business expanded into domestic hot water and geothermal heating & cooling applications. Personal interest led us to expand into the solar heating business of pools and enclosures. Some demand was met with the application of films on glass to improve solar gain and heat loss In 1988 Michiana Solar Products Co relocated to Goshen, IN. In 2000 we were approached by Southwest Windpower to become a dealer for them. We are factory trained and are now a certified installer of their windpower products. We regularly participate in Solar Home Tours in our area.

Hermann Nuyken
Michiana Solar Products Co
602 Revere Drive
Goshen, IN 46526
574-534-5087 (phone& fax)
michianasolar@verizon.net

Morton Energy is a Renewable Energy Products and Services Company based in Southwestern Indiana. Our Energy Conservation Team is headed by an electrical engineer with 20 years experience in automation programming and renewable energy design and an environmental scientist with 15 years experience in environmental regulation and renewable energy research. Morton Energy strives to make solar and wind power economic and convenient for American electricity consumers to generate and consume their own electricity. Our primary goal is to create market regulatory structures that will enable solar and wind generated electricity to exist and thrive as a cost-effective energy solution in mainstream consumer markets. Morton Energy strives to accelerate the development and use of solar and other renewable energy resources through advocacy, education, research and collaboration among professionals, policy-makers and the public.

Matt Morton, Vice President
Morton Energy
mmorton@mortonenergy.com
812-490-3600

Solar Systems of Indiana are renewable energy specialists bringing abundantly clean renewable energy to Indiana by providing commercial and residential MREA (Midwest Renewable Energy Association)certified solar site assessments for solar electric and solar hot water energy systems. Grid tied and stand alone Photovoltaic (solar electric) design and installation. Installation of solar hot water systems, solar attic fans and tubular skylights.

Alex Jarvis
812-336-2785
solarindiana@yahoo.com
www.solarsystemsofindiana.com

SunRise Solar makes attic fans that generate their own electricity through the use of a solar panel. Solar attic fans save the homeowner money directly and indirectly. The roof receives direct, intense rays from the sun. Whether it's a shingled roof or a metal roof, heat begins building up in the attic space. Moisture also enters the attic space from daily activities such as bathing, cooking, laundry, etc. Unless this heat and moisture is removed, damage can occur in the form of mold, mildew, and dry rot. When the attic space overheats, the shingled roof will heat on the underside of the shingles. This causes unnecessary wear and tear on your shingles and you risk wearing them out before the end of the warranty period. Shingle manufacturers are aware of this and require ventilation for a correctly installed roof to be covered under their warranty. This information can be found on the shingle package wrapper. Most shingle manufactures offer formulas on their web sites, which determine just how much attic ventilation is required.
Bill Keith, President
SunRise Solar Inc.
P.O. Box 53
St. John, IN 46373
Phone/fax: 219-558-2211
bill@sunrisesolar.net
www.sunrisesolar.net

SunWind Power Systems, Inc. is a full service renewable energy located in beautiful Floyds Knobs, IN, 18 miles from Louisville, KY. As our name indicates we provide sales and installation services for both solar and wind energy systems. We are a factory authorized dealer of AET solar hot water systems and offer all brands of solar PV (both grid tied and stand alone). We are factory authorized dealers of SouthWest Windpower, Bergey, and Proven wind turbines. We offer energy audit, assessment, and renewable energy services to commercial and residential customers in both KY and IN. Our engineering staff has over 75 years of energy and construction management experience. Since our founding in 2005 we have been responsible for developing Net metering standards with several utilities in both IN and KY and have been providing outstanding renewable energy products and services ever since. Our customers value our straight forward, no pressure approach. To learn more about us visit: www.SunWindPowerInc.com

Jeremy Coxon
SunWind Power Systems, Inc.
5324 Hanka Rd.
Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
http://www.SunWindPowerInc.com
Phone: (502) 876-5174
Fax:(812) 923-7867