Renewable Energy in Indiana: Past, Present and Future

The 1st Annual Meeting of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association will be as follows:

Saturday, November 14th, 2009
2:00 to 6:00 pm
Library Auditorium
Marian University
3200 Coldspring Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46222

$15 InREA members
$25 non-members
(includes dinner buffet)
Bring a check payable to: Indiana Renewable Energy Association

The theme for our first annual meeting will be to review the past history, present status and future proposals for renewable energy development in Indiana.

We will present an overview of the activities of our association over the past year including our recent participation in the ASES National Solar Tour. Amie McCarty with Mann Plumbing in Bloomington will present an overview of these solar tours and our plans for 2010 solar tours and related activities.

We will describe the current status of renewable energy development in our state and how we compare to other states in our region and the nation as a whole.

The current status of renewable energy in Indiana will also include a panel discussion of InREA members about professional accreditation. Training and education remains a "hot topic" in this current economic climate.

Panelists include:



David Hippensteel, Riverbridge Electric, North Manchester

David Mann, Mann Plumbing, Bloomington

Mac Williams, Inverde, Fishers

Gary Washington, Solar Usage Now, Ft. Wayne


Lastly, we will conduct a discussion of our plans for the future.

A presentation by InREA member Chris Stribeck with Integrated Development Services (IDS) of Indianapolis is planned on 1) proposed changes to our current dues structure and 2) formation of a sister organization with an IRS tax status that will allow for unrestricted lobbying activities.

Earlier this year, the InREA Board of Directors decided to pursue status with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization that would be both tax exempt and tax deductible allowing both membership dues and contributions to be tax deductible. Pursuing such a tax status will also allow InREA to apply for grants from foundations as well as charitable contributions from individuals.

In response to feedback from various prospective members including electric utilities as well as current members, it was felt that it would be better for direct lobbying activitiess such as advocacy on various energy issues at the Indiana General Assembly be done through a separate organization.

Final steps are underway to complete InREA's application to the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and it is anticipated it will be filed before the end of the calendar year.

Our meeting will conclude with an informal networking session and a dinner buffet.

We hope you will make plans now to join us and to celebrate our first year as the Indiana Renewable Energy Association as the Indiana state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.

For more information visit the website of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association at www.indianarenew.org.