The Market Tabloid quoted AEE’s Caryl Auslander on amendments to an Indiana bill that will provide more local autonomy through renewable energy incentives. Read excerpts below and the full story here.

The Indiana Senate altered some parts of renewable energy that were problematic. The House version of the energy bill was outlining requirements for the wind and solar projects while sidelining the local government from making an impact in the projects. The amendment proposed by Sen. Mark Messmer assumes a different procedure that is inclusive of the local government…

Initially, the bill had articulated the state standards for the wind and solar projects and allowed the locals only to approve the projects’ procession. However, the amendment allows the local authorities to have complete control over the projects and even progress to the authentication of renewable energy districts. Messmer explained that the bill amendments would ensure that a county with various restrictions to relate and collaborate with renewable energy companies has a way out of this by operating as a renewable energy district. The advantage of these districts is that they offer $3000 for every unit of electricity generated through renewable energy companies to benefit the locals…

Various stakeholders would benefit in various ways, with the communities enjoying economic investment and growth. Caryl Auslander of Advance Energy Economy Indiana added that companies intending to generate more revenue by offering clean energy would create jobs for the people of the area, establishing a sustainable society. Katrina Hall of the Indiana Farm Bureau emphasized that the amendment has made all of these advantages achievable. Hall added that the partnerships with all the parties made this change possible…

Read the full story here.