By JON FORD
Guest Columnist
Indiana stands at an energy crossroads. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) has sounded the alarm: our state needs more power. Not just to fuel the promising influx of new manufacturing projects, like microchip plants and data centers, but to ensure that our existing industries continue to thrive without the threat of blackouts or curtailments.
Jim Huston, head of the IURC, recently testified before Congress, painting a stark picture of Indiana’s energy needs. The message was clear: without action, the lights could go out, and our homes could grow cold. The Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security echoed this sentiment, highlighting the nationwide struggle for affordable and reliable electricity amid increasing regulatory pressures.
Utilities have invested $6.7 billion in emission control technologies since 2001 to reduce emissions from Indiana’s main source of power, coal. While adding more wind and solar power sources, it’s important to remember that these sources are intermittent and rely on weather conditions. Therefore, it’s crucial to have reliable 24/7 power sources like coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy to support them.
The recent cold spell that forced Indiana manufacturers to halt production is a harbinger of what’s to come if we fail to act. The North American Electric Reliability Commission’s (NERC) warning about the loss of dispatchable resources, primarily coal and nuclear, is a wake-up call we cannot ignore.
Affordability is the other piece of the puzzle. Indiana could once boast about having low electric rates when competing against other states for manufacturing dominance. We do not have the luxury to do so anymore. Commissioner Huston mentioned in his opening remarks that Indiana used to have some of the lowest utility rates in the country, primarily due to the availability of affordable coal. However, as more environmental regulations were implemented on coal facilities, Indiana’s utility rates increased significantly. Indiana ranks 29th in the country for utility rates, which is quite a drop from its previous position as the fifth lowest.
Indiana’s energy future hinges on a balanced approach prioritizing reliability and affordability. It’s time to champion an “all of the above” energy strategy that leverages our abundant resources, like coal, while paving the way for innovation.
Let’s ensure that Indiana remains a manufacturing powerhouse and a beacon of progress.
As Hoosiers, we must come together to support a diverse energy mix that ensures our economic prosperity. Contact your elected officials, participate in community conversations, and promote policies that protect our state’s energy reliability and affordability.
By working together, we can ensure that Indiana has a steady power supply that keeps our lights on and allows industries to continue to thrive.
Jon Ford is a former state senator and the president of Reliable Energy Indiana.
I fully agree with his comment, “it’s crucial to have reliable 24/7 power sources like coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy to support them.” We need to stop letting Washington dictate what we need as though they know better than we do.