STATEHOUSE (April 23, 2021) – Gov. Eric Holcomb recently signed State Rep. Ed Soliday's (R-Valparaiso) legislation into law ensuring Indiana residents and businesses receive reliable electric service.
According to Soliday, chair of the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee, electric utilities continue to shift from coal and natural gas to more renewable energy sources like wind and solar. He said while consumer demand for renewable energy options is increasing rapidly due to a variety of factors including costs and environmental considerations, they do not always run at full capacity and its electrical output may not always generate enough power to serve businesses, schools and homes.
House Enrolled Act 1520, which passed the General Assembly unanimously, requires the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and utility companies in the state to work together to guarantee, regardless of the type of energy source being used, there is enough generated or purchased electricity to meet the demand of the service territory and ensure the reliability of the electric grid.
"When Hoosiers walk into a dark room and flip the light switch, they expect it to work," Soliday said. "It's important consumers have a reliable electric source regardless of how many days the clouds cover the sun or the wind doesn't blow enough to power homes and businesses."
The IURC is charged with reviewing and determining if utility companies are meeting Hoosiers' power needs. If the IURC determines they are not, an issue will be ordered for the utility companies to pay for or generate more electricity, and require them to find the best generation solution for their service territory.
Soliday said this legislation results from findings by the 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force, which he co-chaired. House Enrolled Act 1220, authored by Soliday this session, re-establishes the task force as lawmakers continue examining Indiana's existing energy policies and help move the energy industry forward. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House District 4,
which includes a portion of Porter County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
