Wind Power News: Indiana
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Wind energy is a big business in Indiana, leading to awkward alliances
A debate over renewable energy in Indiana is scrambling some of the usual politics of energy and the environment. The wind industry is working with leaders in the Republican-run state government to pass statewide rules for where wind and solar systems can be built, which would allow for more development by replacing the often-restrictive rules now set at the county level. Understandably, county leaders don’t like that. Environmental and consumer groups are torn about this proposed legislation. They want to . . . Complete story »
HB1381 is not for the people or of the people
Proposed House Bill 1381, which has passed the Indiana House and is now in the Utilities Committee of the Indiana Senate, would take away responsibilities and power that presently belong to the local governments in each county of this state. When you take away the power and rights of local government, you take away the rights and power of its citizens. Once the state starts taking local power and responsibilities from local government in any aspect or issue, where does . . . Complete story »
Clock ticking on wind, solar bill
The clock is ticking for a controversial bill that creates statewide standards for placement of solar and wind farms. The deadline for the Senate Utilities Committee to vote on HB 1381 is 12:30 p.m. April 8, said Ryan Kommes, a representative for committee chair Sen. Eric Koch. “If it doesn’t pass out of the committee by then, it’s dead for the session,” Kommes said. The committee’s schedule does not show a hearing on HB 1381 this week. The bill is . . . Complete story »
Legislators need to protect wetlands, home rule
Our wetlands of Indiana are under attack by our Indiana legislators, along with our Home Rule Act that has been on the books for 40 years. Right now, our Indiana senators on the utilities committee are going to take away home rule if you don’t call them and stop House Bill 1381. This bill takes away your county commissioners’ control of what happens in your county as to where solar panels and wind turbines can go. Currently, 32 counties in . . . Complete story »
Tippecanoe Co. Commissioners send letter to lawmakers arguing against solar and wind farm bill
Tippecanoe County Commissioners are taking action against a bill regulating solar and wind farms in Indiana. As we’ve reported, House Bill 1381 sets default standards for installation. Tippecanoe County restricts wind farms and recently rolled out regulations on solar farms. Commissioner Tom Murtaugh and the two other county commissioners wrote a letter to local lawmakers. In it, the bill is called “an assault on local home rule”. Bill co-author State Representative Sharon Negele said she’s willing to work with Tippecanoe . . . Complete story »
Wind and solar legislation: Walker joins others opposing bill
Officials in nearly two-thirds of Indiana’s 92 counties are opposing a bill that they claim preempts local control for the location of wind and commercial solar projects. The proposal is HB 1381, authored by State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, who chairs the House Utilities Energy and Telecommunications Committee. The bill essentially sets state zoning and regulatory standards for commercial wind and solar installations, as well as for the siting of these renewable energy sources. While the measure allows local units . . . Complete story »
Wind and commercial solar bill generates controversy, opposition
COLUMBUS, Ind. – Officials in nearly two-thirds of Indiana’s 92 counties are opposing a bill that they claim preempts local control for the location of wind and commercial solar projects. The proposal is HB 1381, authored by State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, who chairs the House Utilities Energy and Telecommunications Committee. The bill essentially sets state zoning and regulatory standards for commercial wind and solar installations, as well as for the siting of these renewable energy sources. While the measure allows . . . Complete story »
Solar, wind energy ordinances adopted
PRINCETON – New solar and wind energy ordinances that regulate licensing conditions in Gibson County were approved Tuesday by Gibson County Commissioners. The ordinances were introduced for public comment two weeks ago, and presented for second reading at the regular evening meeting at the North Annex. They were adopted as stand-alone ordinances in lieu of a countywide zoning ordinance was was rescinded in February by the board. Attorney Grant Swartzentruber said some minor revisions were made relating to comments made at . . . Complete story »
Local energy: Counties must be heard in crafting wind, solar policy
Legislation aimed at shaping the future of renewable energy in Indiana is instead renewing tensions between state lawmakers and counties upset the General Assembly is trying to usurp their power. At issue is House Bill 1381, a seemingly well-intentioned measure that would implement the first statewide regulations for solar and wind projects. Authored by Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, the 63-page bill would regulate things such as height, setback requirements, “sound level limitations” and project decommissioning. The bill says local governments . . . Complete story »
The tragedy of wind turbine blade disposal
Plans for dealing with deteriorated turbine blades are insufficient and lead to absurd amounts of material and land waste. There are around 58,000 wind turbines in the U.S. according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database, with an estimated 3,000 more planned to be erected by the end of this year. While this looks like good news, it brings with it a problem that is becoming more intimidating as time progresses. Turbine blades need to be replaced as frequently as every . . . Complete story »
