Messmer Column: Setting solar and wind standards

Renewable energy plays an important role in balancing our current and future energy needs and is in high demand by businesses and homeowners alike. In order to help implement and attract these renewable energy projects, I authored Senate Enrolled Act 411.

SEA 411 creates statewide guidelines for local communities looking to take part in renewable energy projects. These guidelines help navigate issues such as height restrictions, satellite and cell signal interference, sound limitations and other factors to mitigate interrupting the flow of normal daily life in our communities.

Communities that adopt these standards will be known as "wind energy ready communities" or "solar energy ready communities." This designation will let renewable energy providers know that there are established standards in place so they can easily implement new projects under those guidelines.

These guidelines are in no way mandatory, as local governments can still determine what they believe to be best for their community. However, SEA 411 does set the groundwork for some level of predictability for renewable energy policy in counties across the state and gives energy providers a green light to pursue projects where these standards are implemented.

Renewable energy, while helpful in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, is also incredibly important to Indiana's local economies. According to the Clean Grid Alliance, the renewable energy industry has delivered significant benefits to communities across the state, including:

·     $7 billion in capital invested in wind, solar and storage projects in the state;

·        $37 million in annual tax revenue for rural communities;

·        $20 million in annual payments to Hoosier landowners; and

·        Each project that gets built creates hundreds of good-paying construction jobs.

With this in mind, I look forward to seeing the positive environmental and economic outcomes in communities across the state now and in the future.

As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467.