STATEHOUSE (Feb. 17, 2010) - State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) said a key utility bill, which could put Indiana on the right track to energy independence, will go before a House committee on Thursday.

Senate Bill 313 # which would provide homeowners, schools and businesses greater financial incentives to produce their own renewable energy - will be heard by the House Committee on Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, February 18, in Room 156C of the Statehouse. Visit www.in.gov/legislative and click on “Watch Indiana General Assembly Live” to view proceedings online.

“Indiana lawmakers can again this year take steps to help prepare our state for future energy needs,” Charbonneau said.

According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), net metering is a policy allowing consumers to use electricity they generate from their renewable energy generators - such as a wind turbine or solar panel - and receive credits for unused electricity they send to the power grid.  AWEA reports these practices could decrease consumers’ electric bills while increasing the amount of energy available to others.

Charbonneau, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy & Environmental Affairs and author of the measure, said current Indiana law limits homeowners and schools to credit up to 10 kilowatts (kW) of power produced from renewable energy generators to their utility bills. Under SB 313, the limit would be increased to 200 kW of power and businesses would be allowed to use net metering as well.

Charbonneau said Indiana would be on par with neighboring states utilizing net metering. Michigan consumers can credit up to 150 kW while Ohio consumers are under no limits on the amount of kW they may credit.

“This measure provides more flexibility for Hoosiers, school corporations and business to produce, share and reap the benefits of renewable energy,” Charbonneau said.

Last year, a similar bill died in a House committee hours before the legislature adjourned.

Sen. Charbonneau represents Senate District 5, which includes Starke County and portions of Porter, LaPorte, Marshall, Jasper, Pulaski, and St. Joseph counties.

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