HB1278: IURC and office of energy development matters.

Legislative Summary

IURC and office of energy development matters. Repeals the Indiana Code provisions concerning the following obsolete programs and funds administered by the Indiana office of energy development (office): (1) The alternative fuel fueling station grant program. (2) The alternative fuel vehicle grant program for local units. (3) The Indiana coal research grant fund. (4) The office of alternative energy incentives. (5) The alternative energy incentive fund. (6) The center for coal technology research. Makes conforming amendments to other sections of the Indiana Code that reference the repealed provisions. Repeals, in the Indiana Code chapter governing the Indiana recycling market development board (board), a provision that authorizes the office to establish and administer a revolving loan program to make low interest loans for energy efficiency or recycling market development projects. Relocates that provision to the Indiana Code chapter governing the office and removes from the provision language authorizing the office to consult with the board in establishing and administering the program. Provides that, notwithstanding the statutory requirements for a local unit to be certified as a commercial solar energy ready community or a wind energy ready community, the commercial solar and wind energy ready communities development center may make a reasonable determination to certify a unit as a commercial solar energy ready community or a wind energy ready community if the unit: (1) has adopted a commercial solar or wind power regulation and the unit's regulation does not: (A) materially differ from applicable industry or regulatory standards; or (B) otherwise materially affect the ability of a project owner to develop a commercial solar project or wind power project in the unit; or (2) has other clear standards for the construction, installation, siting, modification, operation, or decommissioning of commercial solar or wind power systems and the unit's clear standards meet specified requirements. Amends the Indiana Code section concerning a rate case in which a utility seeks an increase in revenues exceeding $2,500,000, and with respect to which a public hearing is required, to provide that the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) shall conduct at least one public hearing in one of the following, as determined by the IURC: (1) The largest municipality located within the utility's service area. (2) The municipality containing the largest number of customers served by the utility. (3) The county containing the largest number of customers served by the utility. (Current law requires the IURC to conduct the public hearing in the largest municipality located within the utility's service area.) Makes a corresponding change to the statute concerning rural electric membership corporations. Repeals a provision in the statute concerning incentives for clean energy projects that requires eligible businesses under the statute to file with the lieutenant governor a monthly report concerning purchases of: (1) Illinois Basin coal for energy production or generation; and (2) fuel or energy produced by a coal gasification facility or by a nuclear energy production or generating facility.