FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Gideon, Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
STATEHOUSE (April 6, 2023) — A bill authored by State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) that would encourage consistent standards for solar and wind energy throughout Indiana passed the General Assembly and will now head to the governor's desk.
Senate Enrolled Act 390 would provide incentives for counties to adopt standards in order to be designated a solar or wind ready community.
The bill is a follow-up to Senate Enrolled Act 411 (2022), which created a voluntary renewable energy siting standards.
"Senate Enrolled Act 390 would give Indiana's counties incentives to adopt the siting standards for solar and wind energy throughout the state," Messmer said. "This bill would not require counties to participate in the program."
The program would be funded through federal grants.
Currently, Indiana has 54 counties with some level of solar and wind energy standards, many of which are close to the standards created in SEA 411.
SEA 390 would establish the Commercial Solar and Wind Energy Ready Communities Development Center within the Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED).
OED has already completed work and developed resources for these types of projects with Purdue University and IUPUI.
"I am pleased to see the bill receive support from the legislature because it will allow communities throughout Indiana to be ready for future energy growth," Messmer said.
Legislative calendars, agendas, vote tallies, live streams and proposed legislation can be viewed online by visiting iga.in.gov.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
