Messmer Column: Studying Hoosiers' energy needs

Local Sources- On this week's Messmer Column, State Senator Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) discusses studying Hoosiers' energy needs.

With Indiana's 2024 legislative session quickly approaching, legislators are wrapping up their studies on important topics in interim study committees.

One of the committees given a topic to study this year is the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications, which must report on supply, demand and consumer price outlooks.

According to a preliminary forecast from the State Utility Forecasting Group at Purdue University, which was presented during the committee's hearing on Sept. 14, there are several factors to consider when forecasting how much electricity will be needed in the years to come.

Every two years, the State Utility Forecasting Group forecasts Indiana's expected electricity usage over the following 20 years. Its last forecast was released in 2021, and it is now working on the 2023 update.

The electric load over the next five years is expected to remain consistent. However, electricity usage is expected to then grow over the following 15 years.

The residential sector is expected to grow the fastest in its electricity usage compared to the commercial and industrial sectors.

In terms of electric bills, prices are expected to increase during the first five to six years of the model, but then level off for the following 14 to 15 years.

Interim committees will continue to meet over the next month. To view committee livestreams and agendas, visit iga.in.gov.

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.