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Thirty-one counties issue resolutions against House Bill 1381
House Bill 1381, which essentially eliminates local control on the siting of wind and commercial solar projects, was passed by the Indiana House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The locally controversial bill sets statewide default standards for the installation of wind and solar farms, and strips local government of the ability to make decisions as to where or if renewable energy projects are able to be develop in their counties.
“If this bill passes the senate, unelected officials will be able to make decisions on land use for every county in the state,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt. “No accountability to the voters and no ability for land use controls.”
Indiana has a policy of Home Rule that grants local elected officials the power needed for the effective operation of government as to local affairs.
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Currently, if a company wants to build wind turbines in unincorporated Hamilton County, they must get permission from county commissioners first. Under H.B. 1381, if the county denies a permit for a project the applicant can appeal to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers), who voted in favor of the bill, said, “Providing more opportunities for wind and solar will help Indiana diversify our state’s energy sources. Right now, our state isn’t a competitor in this growing market, and we don’t want to continue losing out on the added jobs, people and investment these projects could bring. This legislation still has a long way to go, and we’ll continue to work with our Senate colleagues moving forward.”
The Indiana Association of County Commissioners recently released a statement that said, “We believe that planned development, permitting standards, and permitting processes should be determined locally by locally elected County Commissioners.”
The Association of Indiana Counties also opposes the bill: “HB 1381 removes a county’s ability to develop long term, compatible land uses crafted through local public meetings. Wind and solar companies will be able to randomly put in projects that meet state standards but may conflict with future economic development projects, planned residential development or even road expansions. These projects can reduce the value of a neighbor’s property so the decision about where these projects are located should be made at the community level, not by legislators who represent districts that will not be affected by the bill.”
“It is disturbing to continue to see bills like this against Home Rule,” Heirbrandt said. “Local land use decisions should be made locally and not at the Statehouse.”
State Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville), who also voted in favor of the bill, said, “This legislation has the potential to have a positive statewide economic impact, especially in rural communities, as it could bring more opportunities for renewable energy investment in Indiana’s future to strengthen our power supply and put more Hoosiers to work. This bill now heads to our colleagues in the Senate, where it will be further examined to see how we can better serve consumers and businesses across the state.”
Prior to HB 1381 passing the House, Hamilton County Commissioners issued a resolution that stated, “The Board of Commissioners believes that decisions regarding wind and solar development are best made by the citizens living in the community, rather than by the wind and solar industry or State officials who live outside the community.”
As of Thursday, a total of 31 Indiana counties have issued resolutions against the bill.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers), who voted in favor of the bill, said “Rural communities could have the opportunity to experience economic growth as a result of this bill, as these projects could generate new jobs and tax revenue. This legislation still has a long way to go, and I look forward to working with those on all sides of the issue to find a solution that benefits communities and energy consumers throughout Indiana.”
None of the three local state legislatures who supported the bill commented on removing local government from final decision making with wind and solar projects in their counties.
HB 1381 passed the House of Representatives with a 58-38-4 vote. Local representatives voting against the bill were Tony Cook, Donna Schaibley, and Jerry Torr.
The bill will now go to the Indiana Senate where it will be heard by Senators representing Hamilton County, which includes Scott Baldwin, J. D. Ford, Jim Buck and Fady Qaddoura.
Oppose bill 1381, let local government keep the ability to know what’s best for their county. Each county is unique and the local voted officials know their county and what their voters want.
After the power failure, just this past week in Texas, where “Wind Farms” provided 42% of their supply of electricity, Any one with Any Common sense would /should see that Wind Power Farms are NOT Very reliable (Especially in Cold Weather)!!!