Put energy into smart legislation

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100104/OPINION08/1040309/1291/OPINION08/Put-energy-into-smart-legislation

January 4, 2010


Our Opinion

The waning days of 2009 are not likely to be remembered for good financial news when it comes to Indiana's public school districts. A state mandate to make nearly $300 million in spending cuts makes for indelible headlines.

There may be hope for making up some of that loss, however, thanks to statements by key members of the Indiana General Assembly regarding an obscure phenomenon known as net metering.

Schools will not be the only beneficiaries if legislation talked up a few days ago by state Sen. James Merritt and Rep. Ryan Dvorak sees the light of day.

Exploited in neighboring states far more than here, net metering allows utilities customers who generate some of their own power through wind, sun or other means to send the excess back to the grid and get charged only for what they use.

The potential savings are immense, as are the benefits in reduced reliance on high-polluting coal and promotion of an already burgeoning renewable energy industry.

Right now, Indiana allows only homeowners and schools to use net metering, and limits them to a nominal take of 10 kilowatts.

Dvorak, D-South Bend, wants to boost that figure to 1,000 kilowatts. Merritt, R-Indianapolis, is not inclined to go nearly that high; but he does want to extend net metering to businesses and municipalities.

In the 2009 session, both men got their bills passed; but differences over the numbers proved irreconcilable in conference committee. Net metering became one of several sensible energy bills for which lofty hopes died.

Now, compromise is in the air. The utilities, obstinate opponents in the past, have seen that federal taxes on coal are imminent and have endorsed modest net metering. Proponents may well have to settle for a 100-kilowatt limit to get a law onto the books; but as a tenfold increase over the status quo, that is a most encouraging starting point. Building upon it in the future should come easily as its payoff asserts itself.

Like renewable energy itself, net metering offers a win-win to producers and consumers by converting waste into value, with cleaner air and tax relief as part of the bargain.

Again, surrounding states have gotten the message and are running with it. If, as Gov. Mitch Daniels is fond of saying, we are the smart ones when it comes to fighting through hard economic times, this is an easy opportunity for lawmakers to prove it.

This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.

EPA to get a handle on greenhouse gases

Gary Post-Tribune Editorial Oct 6, 2009
http://www.post-trib.com/news/opinion/1808201,edit-epa.article

It's about time.

Starting Jan. 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require the largest greenhouse gas emitters to monitor and report what's spewed into the nation's skies.

It's 2009 -- nearly 40 years after the Clean Air Act passed -- and we still have little handle on how much greenhouse gas is emitted each year.

How are we to get a handle on challenging climate change without knowing the full extent of emissions?

(And for those people who insist climate change is a hoax, the Flat Earth Society is seeking like-minded members.)

The new rule covers refineries, iron and steel production, electricity generation, cement production and some municipal solid waste landfills. Small businesses, homeowners and schools are exempt because the EPA is most concerned about the biggest emitters of the gases.

What makes this more important is that the federal mandate affects recalcitrant states that lag not just in environmental enforcement but in environmental concern as well.

Can you say Indiana?

The Hoosier state is just one of nine that has chosen not to be part of the voluntary reporting system called the Climate Registry.

It should come as no surprise that the state is one of a handful that wouldn't be involved voluntarily.

The Daniels administration has shown not just a lack of concern about the environment; it has paraded its antipathy toward green initiatives loudly and clearly around the state.

For the majority of Hoosiers who care about the environment -- in spite of the governor -- it's a tremendous step forward for the state and the country.

It is, after all, hard to fix a problem unless you understand what's causing it.
And it's about time we know.


Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) introduced HB 1352 during the 2009 Regular Session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Synopsis of HB 1352: The 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 registry's statement of principles and goals to become a member of the registry and deliver a copy of the signed statement to the registry before July 1, 2009. Establishes an exception to the registry membership requirement if a petition of opposition is submitted to the governor by the majority of the local economic development commissions in the state. Allows the governor to withdraw the state from the registry if the governor determines that membership causes a loss of jobs or missed opportunities for jobs.

Rep. Dvorak Responds to Governor Daniels Veto of Energy Efficiency Code Bill--HEA 1348

From the Indiana House of Representatives

Media Office
Democratic Caucus
John Schorg, Director
Statehouse, Room 157
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
1-800-382-9842 or 1-317-232-9621
Fax Number: 1-317-232-9792

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 12, 2009

GOVERNOR’S VETO REJECTS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY

INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mitch Daniels vetoed House Enrolled Act 1348 (HEA 1348) Tuesday. He wrote in a media advisory that the bill “does constitute good policy”, but “it is completely superfluous.” The bill’s author, State Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend), plans to seek an override of the veto.

The bill would require Indiana to update its energy efficiency codes for the construction of new commercial buildings. The existing energy efficiency code is nearly two decades old and fails to account for the latest in cost-saving features that are used in other states. “The updated code required by House Enrolled Act 1348 will not only cut energy consumption,” Dvorak said, “but also create jobs in the building trades and reduce overhead costs for Indiana businesses.”

Dvorak responded to the governor’s statement by saying that this bill is necessary when Indiana trails so far behind the rest of the nation in implementing energy conservation standards.

“Gov. Daniels said he has already begun the process of updating the state energy code,” Dvorak added. “However, the Governor’s efforts only began after the Legislature held hearings on Indiana’s lack of progress on the issue. As a result of those hearings, I filed legislation to require the state to act. Indiana has initiated this process in the past, but never followed through with changes. HEA 1348 would ensure that this time Indiana will complete its work by July 1, 2010.

“I am absolutely baffled by Gov. Daniels’ veto,” continued Dvorak. “We worked with his administration to incorporate their suggested changes to the bill’s language and never once did they testify in opposition to the legislation, much less threaten the veto of it. I will seek an override of Gov. Daniels’ veto to ensure these much needed changes finally occur.”

The final version of the bill passed the House by a vote of 91-0 and the Senate by a 47-2 margin.

Click here to read the Governor's Veto Message.

Click Here for more information on HB 1348.