STATEHOUSE (Jan. 26, 2021) – The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee voted today in support of State Rep. Ed Soliday's (R-Valparaiso) legislative proposal reestablishing the 21st Century Energy Task Force following its expiration in December of last year.
Soliday said the 21st Century Energy Task Force would continue to examine Indiana's existing energy policies, and present its findings to the Indiana General Assembly and the governor with recommendations for future legislative ideas to help the state's energy industry move forward.
"Over the last year and a half, the energy task force heard from a total of 100 experts in the industry who helped us answer questions and develop legislative goals for the future," Soliday said. "Energy is essential to every corporation, business, school and home in the state. Reestablishing the task force will allow us to continue researching different sections of the industry, and provide more findings and recommendations to help us make comprehensive energy policy that benefits all Hoosiers."
Among key findings from the task force's final report in 2020 was that the state's energy policy relies on five key pillars, including reliability, resilience, stability, affordability and the environment – and any change to one pillar subsequently affects the other four.
If passed into law, the task force would consist of 15 members, with six from the Indiana House of Representatives and six from the Indiana Senate. The governor would fill the remaining spots and appoint three members, each of whom must have specified experience with the energy industry.
The bill directs the task force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to members of the General Assembly, the governor, the chair of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and the Indiana Utility Consumer Counsel, no later than Dec. 1, 2022.
House Bill 1220 now moves to the House floor for further consideration. Visit iga.in.gov for more information.
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State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) represents House
District 4, which includes a portion of Porter County.
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