Indy Standard

State Representative Ed Soliday's legislation, which aims to address the balance between developing new energy sources and avoiding excessive costs for ratepayers, is now awaiting the governor's approval. House Enrolled Act 1007, a key initiative for Indiana House Republicans, is designed to prepare the state for increasing electricity demands driven by industrial growth.

As part of the proposed law, incentives such as tax credits would be established to attract manufacturers of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to Indiana. These reactors are seen as a promising option for providing efficient, clean, and cost-effective energy. Soliday, the chair of the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee, emphasized, "SMRs are the future of efficient, clean and affordable energy. This legislation paves the way for new generation without burdening the ratepayers."

SMRs are versatile energy sources that can operate independently or in conjunction with other systems to supply energy to various locations. They are expected to assist companies requiring substantial energy usage by offering an alternative that eases pressure on the power grid.

The proposed act mandates that large load customers, defined as those requiring at least 150 megawatts, cover 80% of the construction expenses for any new energy generation capacity, be it natural gas or SMRs, regardless of the completion status of their new facilities.

Furthermore, the legislation stipulates that closure of current generation facilities in Indiana can only occur if it is demonstrated that such closures will financially benefit consumers, with adequate new generation available to compensate for any shortfalls. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission must confirm these conditions.

The act also requires the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to notify the impacted utility and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission within 15 days if a new or expanding facility with a demand of at least 20 megawatts is announced.

With House Enrolled Act 1007 progressing to the governor's desk, further consideration will determine its enactment into law. For those interested in the legislative process, more information can be found at iga.in.gov.