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Leising: Bill ensuring utility reliability passes Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kellyn Harrison, Press Secretary

Kellyn.Harrison@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498

Leising: Bill ensuring utility reliability passes Senate

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 28, 2023) – A bill authored by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that would better ensure utility reliability across the state passed the Senate today by a vote of 40-9.

Senate Bill 9 would authorize the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to adopt a review process for when a public utility producing at least 80 megawatts requests to retire, sell or transfer an electric generation facility.

"Coal and natural gas generation make up the majority of Indiana's energy distribution," Leising said. "Between growing interest in electric vehicles and residents' need for electricity, this bill would help utility companies withstand the high demand and reduce the risk of blackouts in our local communities."

When considering a public utility's intention to relieve ownership of an electric generation facility, the IURC must examine its impact on state and local energy needs. Accelerated depreciation will not be permitted on early closures unless there is a catastrophic event to the generation plant.

The bill will now move to the Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration. To learn more about the bill, visit iga.in.gov.

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State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42, which includes

Decatur, Fayette, Ripley and Rush counties, and portions of Franklin, Jennings and Shelby counties.

Click here to download a high-resolution photo.