Indiana General Assembly
Pro-Consumer Voting Percentages
& Campaign Contributions
Previous years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
| 2012 | did not track | $16,725 | 2018 | 67% | $26,300 | |
| 2013 | 25% | $15,250 | 2019 | 44% | $22,800 | |
| 2014 | 14% | $21,300 | 2020 | 73% | $28,000 | |
| 2015 | 0% | $19,500 | 2021 | 40% | $25,000 | |
| 2016 | 50% | $25,700 | 2022 | 50% | $28,100 | |
| 2017 | 80% | $23,200 | Cumulative: | 43% | |
CAC considers that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the Indiana Statehouse. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.
The cumulative voting record percentage represents voting records from the last 10 years.
Campaign contribution information comes from followthemoney.org, and includes money taken from the Energy and Natural Resources industries, including: utilities, coal, mining, oil, natural gas, steel, and environmental services & equipment.
The campaign contributions represent money taken in the previous 11 years.
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Representative Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2022 Campaign Contributions: $28,100
2012 - 2022
2022 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 50%
For bill details, visit our 2022 Indiana General Assembly page.
HB1100: Utility Regulatory Commission Reporting and Rules
Status: Died in the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee
Contains “no more stringent than” language from legislation in previous years, which would make it illegal for Indiana’s Executive Branch to pass policies that are tighter for public health than what the U.S. EPA does, for those situations where the EPA has set standards. While the EPA has acted decisively to protect our air quality, there are many areas where the EPA has been, candidly, weak. The EPA has not adequately protected the public from such serious environmental problems as pollution from fracking, factory farm manure pits, and outdoor wood boilers. HB1100 allows unnecessary legislative interference in administrative rule makings and places additional burdens on administrative agencies.
Committee Votes on HB1100: none
House Floor Votes on HB1100: 2 votes; 1 Anti-Consumer, 1 Pro-Consumer
HB1111: Utility Regulatory Commission Reporting and Rules
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
IURC agency bill, authorizes FERC Order 2222 rulemaking
Committee Votes on HB1111: none
House Floor Votes on HB1111: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
HB1196: Homeowners Associations and Solar Power
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
HB1196 makes it harder for Homeowners Associations to prohibit residents from adding solar panels.
Committee Votes on HB1196: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
House Floor Votes on HB1196: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1209: Carbon Sequestration Projects
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Outlines a framework for entities conducting carbon capture and sequestration in Indiana (CCS - underground storage of toxic, liquefied, and highly pressurized carbon dioxide). Addresses issues related to CCS, including mineral rights, pore space ownership, permitting for pipelines and storage related activities, and creates the carbon storage facility trust fund. Seeks to protect adjacent landowners with notification and compensation - with “forced pooling” if 60% of the pore space area approves. It does not speak to the controversial immunity provisions. However, it does require that the State of Indiana assume ownership and the associated liability 10 years after a certificate of completion is issued by DNR.
Committee Votes on HB1209: none
House Floor Votes on HB1209: 4 votes, all Anti-Consumer
HB1221: Electric Vehicles and Electricity Pricing
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
As introduced, HB1221 exempted (non-utility) owners and hosts of EVs and EV charging stations from regulation by IURC, authorizes hosts and owners of EV supply equipment who make the equipment available to the public to charge by the kwh, defines an electric utility “EV pilot” program for jurisdictional utilities, authorizes utilities to file for approval of pilot programs, authorizes the IURC to approve the pilot programs and the associated cost recovery. It was amended in the Senate Utilities Committee to require that any businesses that host EV chargers purchase the electricity for the chargers from the monopoly utility that is the provider for their geographical region. This means that they cannot generate their own electricity for the EV chargers (even if they are already generating their own electricity).
Committee Votes on HB1221: none
House Floor Votes on HB1221: 2 votes; 1 Anti-Consumer, 1 Pro-Consumer
HB1224: Government Investments and Contracts
Status: Died in the House
Prohibits the State and other political subdivisions from making certain investments in companies that boycott energy companies or companies that do business with energy companies, requires that before entering into a contract the State and local units of government must receive a written verification from companies that “the company does not boycott energy companies and will not boycott energy companies during the term of the contract.”
Committee Votes on HB1224: none
House Floor Votes on HB1224: none - HB1224 was never called down for a third reading vote on the House Floor.
HB1249: Carbon Sequestration Pilot Project (companion to SB265)
Status: Died in the Senate Natural Resources Committee
HB1249 & SB265 are being pushed by a privately-owned corporation known as Wabash Valley Resources who is claiming that they will develop the largest carbon capture and sequestration project (CCS) ever in the US. They opine that it is a climate change mitigation strategy, but the best way to mitigate climate change is to NOT produce carbon dioxide in the first place.
Committee Votes on HB1249: none
House Floor Votes on HB1249: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB147: Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Adds underground pumped hydro to the definition of clean energy and renewable energy.
Committee Votes on SB147: none
House Floor Votes on SB147: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB265: Carbon Sequestration Pilot Project
Status: Died in the House
HB1249 & SB265 are being pushed by a privately-owned corporation known as Wabash Valley Resources who is claiming that they will develop the largest carbon capture and sequestration project (CCS) ever in the US. They opine that it is a climate change mitigation strategy, but the best way to mitigate climate change is to NOT produce carbon dioxide in the first place.
Committee Votes on SB265: none
House Floor Votes on SB265: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
SB271: Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
SB271 will shift the financial risk to captive consumers by extending the subsidy that is Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) to Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs - baby nukes). CWIP allows utilities to charge ratepayers for power plants while they are under construction, before they are producing any electricity, and even if they NEVER produce any electricity. It should be noted that this technology is in no way commercially viable at this current moment in time. No public utility in the U.S. has built any SMRs, and there are no operating SMRs in the U.S. at all.
Committee Votes on SB271: none
House Floor Votes on SB271: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB272: Wastewater Infrastructure
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Adopts the recommendations of the Wastewater Task Force.
Committee Votes on SB272: none
House Floor Votes on SB272: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB273: Financing of Water and Wastewater Utility Assets
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Provides a new tracker to the water/wastewater utilities to “to permit a utility to recover increased costs resulting from referenda or from decisions made by elected officials or governmental entities.”, provides the water and wastewater utilities additional trackers under certain circumstances.
Committee Votes on SB273: none
House Floor Votes on SB273: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB411: Commercial Solar and Wind Energy (siting bill)
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Creates default standards for the siting of commercial-scale wind and solar projects, creates incentives for communities to become solar-energy ready and wind-energy ready communities.
Committee Votes on SB411: none
House Floor Votes on SB411: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
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Representative Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2021 Campaign Contributions: $25,000
2011 - 2021
2021 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 40%
For bill details, visit our 2021 Indiana General Assembly page.
HB1114: Residential building design elements
Status: Died in the House
Prohibits local units of government from regulating design standards for residential structures, regardless of how their local constituency feels about such matters. House Bill 1114 sends a negative signal to Hoosiers by deregulating building materials and their oversight at the local level. This is especially harmful regarding design standards targeting energy efficiency, which helps Hoosiers to reduce their energy costs.
Committee Votes on HB1114: none
House Floor Votes on HB1114: none - HB1114 was never called down for a third reading vote on the House Floor.
HB1164: Various Utility Matters
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
HB1164 expanded the authority of telecommunication providers to place small cell (5G) wireless structures, generally defined as 50 ft. or less, in communities, and prohibits those communities from imposing any restrictions on the height of the structures or the distance between each structure. The bill effectively grants telecommunication providers eminent domain to place 5G towers and infrastructure in public right of ways. The bill also further diminishes IURC authority over telecommunications providers by eliminating certain reporting requirements, such as filing their tariffs or information regarding the services they offer.
Committee Votes on HB1164: none
House Floor Votes on HB1164: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1191: Local unit power to prohibit utility connection
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Because of climate change, there is a movement by cities and towns in certain parts of the country to ban natural gas hookups for new construction in order to move away from fossil fuels and to electrify America to enable a shift to 100% renewable energy. While there is no municipality in Indiana talking about this, the intent of this bill is to circumvent the possibility of this happening in Indiana. The reality is that HB1191 only protects monopoly utilities; nothing in this bill protects the rights of private property owners to generate their own energy or lease (or not lease) their land to third parties for energy generation. It does little or nothing to advance renewable energy in Indiana; in fact, it flies in the face of policies designed to mitigate the impact of the existential threat of climate change. HB1191 is short-sighted and forecloses the opportunity to have a meaningful dialogue around long-term policies designed to address climate change and climate justice.
Committee Votes on HB1191: none
House Floor Votes on HB1191: 3 votes, all Anti-Consumer
HB1287: Water or wastewater service
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
HB1287 is a continuation of the policy conversation related to ensuring that all Hoosiers have access to clean water and functioning sewers. The bill is designed to make extending water and wastewater service more affordable for unserved or underserved communities by eliminating deposit requirements for customers under certain circumstances.
Committee Votes on HB1287: none
House Floor Votes on HB1287: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1381: Commercial wind and solar standards and siting
Status: Died in the Senate
HB1381 would have created default standards for the siting of commercial scale solar and wind projects in an effort to expand investments in clean and renewable energy in Indiana. The bill would have voided the ordinances adopted by certain counties which prohibit, or otherwise restrict, the development of renewable energy in Indiana, if those ordinances established siting requirements that were more restrictive than the standards that would have been established in the bill.
Committee Votes on HB1381: none
House Floor Votes on HB1381: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
HB1449 established stronger standards for broadband service by increasing the requirements related to the speed of the connection. The bill also prioritized public school corporations, rural health centers, and homes with k-12 students for the purposes of awarding grants from the rural broadband fund. The bill also authorized funds from the rural broadband fund to be used for financial assistance for customers who otherwise would not be able to afford the service.
Committee Votes on HB1449: none
House Floor Votes on HB1449: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1520: Electric utility reliability adequacy metrics
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
This bill was the result of a recommendation from the Energy Task Force. The bill requires that the utilities operate and maintain their power plants using “good utility practices”. It requires that the utilities file a report with the IURC detailing the resources that they own and operate, or otherwise procure under contract in the markets, to serve their customers with reliable energy. And the bill empowers the IURC to order the utilities to acquire or construct resources should the IURC determine that the utilities do not have adequate resources to serve their customers. CAC believes that this bill is unnecessary, as it’s the utilities legal obligation to serve the customers, and the bill is redundant, as the utilities are already required to do short-term and long-term planning at the IURC and must meet reliability requirements established by the grid operators and the Federal government. The bill creates additional and unneeded bureaucracy and regulation and may ultimately create unnecessary legislative intrusion into the markets depending on how the bill is implemented and used.
Committee Votes on HB1520: none
House Floor Votes on HB1520: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
HB1581 is the bill that creates the new legislative district maps based on the 2020 census. These maps will go into effect on the date of the 2022 election. The maps for the Indiana State Representatives and Indiana's 9 Congressional Districts were drawn by the Indiana House Republicans. The map for the Indiana State Senators was drawn by the Indiana Senate Republicans.
Committee Votes on HB1581: none
House Floor Votes on HB1581: 5 votes, all Anti-Consumer
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
SB352 is designed to bring more transparency to, as well as streamline the application process at the Office of Community and Rural Affairs for providers seeking to provide broadband service to unserved or underserved communities.
Committee Votes on SB352: none
House Floor Votes on SB352: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
SB359 required INDOT to create a broadband corridor program, the Dig Once Program, in the continued effort to further enable to deployment of broadband service to unserved and underserved communities.
Committee Votes on SB359: none
House Floor Votes on SB359: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
Status: Died in Conference Committee
This bill was pushed by Wabash Valley Resources, and would have granted eminent domain to private corporations to force Hoosier property owners to allow dangerous carbon dioxide waste to be stored long-term underneath their properties without their consent. This bill put Hoosiers on the hook for the long-term costs and liabilities associated with any problems which can occur as a result of storing carbon dioxide waste underground.
Committee Votes on SB373: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
House Floor Votes on SB373: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
SB377 created the Indiana Broadband Connectivity Program in the continued effort to further enable to deployment of broadband service to unserved and underserved communities. The program established a public portal through which individuals may report that they do not have access to broadband service that meets the minimum requirements related to the speed of the connection. The program would allow broadband providers to bid every 3 months for grants to provide service to those individuals who currently lack an adequate connection.
Committee Votes on SB377: none
House Floor Votes on SB377: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Across the country and in Indiana, utilities are finding it cheaper to invest in new renewables than it is to keep operating their current generation assets, most notably their aging coal plants. However, with traditional utility financing, customers often do not see big savings in the short term from cheaper energy, and may instead see their rates spike. Utilizing securitization could lower the costs to customers by reducing the interest rate and spreading out the timeline which customers would pay for the unrecovered costs related to the coal plant being retired. Additionally, proceeds from securitization could provide needed financial assistance for both the communities who will lose tax revenues when these coal plants retire, and the workers who will need help transitioning to new employment.
Committee Votes on SB386: none
House Floor Votes on SB386: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB389: Repeals state regulated wetlands law
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Repeals the law requiring a permit from the department of environmental management for wetland activity in a state regulated wetland. Makes corresponding changes to eliminate references to that law. States that the repeal of that law is not intended to affect: (1) the regulation in Indiana under the federal Clean Water Act of the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States; or (2) the authorization of the state of Indiana to administer the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program.
Committee Votes on SB389: none
House Floor Votes on SB389: 3 votes, all Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2020 Campaign Contributions: $28,000
2010 - 2020
2020 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 73%
For bill details, visit our 2020 Indiana General Assembly page.
HB1414: Electric generation
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
House Bill 1414 obstructs Indiana’s electric utilities’ ability to retire their dirty, expensive, and outdated coal-fired power plants. It is designed to keep Indiana in the dark ages by delaying and obstructing our transition to clean energy. It is a deliberate attempt by the coal interests to convince Indiana lawmakers to use the heavy hand of government to interfere with the markets and protect Indiana’s fleet of coal-fired power plants. The effort is being led by Alliance Coal, Hallador Energy, and White Stallion Energy, who have been aggressively peddling their influence and money at the Indiana Statehouse.
House Floor Votes on HB1414: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1265: Drinking water testing
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Requires that the drinking water in every child care center, child care home, child care ministry site, child care program site, child caring institution, and school building be tested before January 1, 2023, for compliance with the national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper. Provides, however, that the testing requirement is satisfied if the drinking water of the child care facility or school building has already been tested for compliance with the national primary drinking water regulations at least once since 2016. Provides that if a test of the drinking water of a child care facility or school building indicates the presence of lead in the water equal to or greater than the federal lead action level of 15 parts per billion, the person or entity having authority over the child care facility or school building is required to take action to reduce the lead levels in the drinking water to less than 15 parts per billion. The bill originally only applied to Lake County, but after a column entitled "High lead levels were found in our school water — but not where you would think" was published in the Indy Star on 1/26/20, HB1265 was amended to apply to the entire state.
House Floor Votes on HB1265: 4 votes, all Pro-Consumer
HB1337: Notification of water utilities and water treatment
Status: Died in the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee
Provides that the environmental rules board shall amend provisions within the administrative rules governing spills to provide for notification to a water utility and water treatment plant in the event of a spill or release of any substance to a water that may cause a threat to the operation of a water utility or water treatment plant. This is in response to the latest release of toxic chemicals into Lake Michigan by Arcelor-Mittal. This toxic spill happened in August 2019, and was not reported to the public until three days after the spill occurred. Lake Michigan is the source of drinking water for 7 million people.
House Floor Votes on HB1337: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB229: Maintenance of regulated drains
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Provides that a permit is not required from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the reconstruction or maintenance of regulated drains for purposes of the law concerning state regulated wetlands. SB229 deregulates the drain pipes that drain into Indiana wetlands. This will almost certainly result in more toxins being dumped into Indiana waterways.
House Floor Votes on SB229: 3 votes, all Anti-Consumer
SB254: Water and wastewater utilities
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Amends the law allowing the adjustment of a water or wastewater utility's rates and charges to enable the utility to recover the cost of eligible infrastructure improvements, by providing that the general maximum limit on the revenues used in determining the adjustment does not apply to infrastructure improvement costs associated with the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of a highway, street, or road. Amends the law that allows a public water utility to treat the costs of replacing customer-owned lead service lines as eligible infrastructure improvements for which a utility's rates and charges may be adjusted, by providing that the law applies to municipally owned utilities as well as public utilities. Establishes a procedure under which a public utility, municipally owned utility, or not-for-profit utility that provides water or wastewater service to the public and is under the jurisdiction of the commission for the approval of rates and charges may seek to recover, through a periodic rate adjustment, the cost of certain utility plant or equipment expenditures that are related to compliance with environmental requirements or made for health, safety, or environmental protection purposes.
House Floor Votes on SB254: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2019 Campaign Contributions: $22,800
2009 - 2019
2019 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 44%
For bill details, visit our 2019 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB4: Water and wastewater utilities and runoff
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb
Requires the Indiana Finance Authority to study the water and wastewater utilities across Indiana to assess the water infrastructure and needs across the state. Requires each utility to perform an annual audit of their water systems to identify water losses and begin reigning in waste. Urges the Indiana General Assembly to assign an appropriate interim study committee to study issues regarding water systems across Indiana.
House Floor Votes on SB4: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB442: Underground storage of carbon dioxide
Status: Signed into law by Governor Holcomb
SB442 grants eminent domain to private corporations to force Hoosier property owners to allow dangerous carbon dioxide waste captured from dirty manufacturing facilities, like ammonia plants and coal-fired power plants, to be stored long-term underneath their properties without their consent. Additionally, SB442 puts Hoosiers on the hook for the long-term costs and liabilities associated with any problems which can occur as a result of storing carbon dioxide waste underground.
SB442 is being pushed by a privately-owned corporation known as Wabash Valley Resources. They are claiming it is a climate change mitigation strategy, but the best way to mitigate climate change is not to produce carbon dioxide in the first place. This is clearly another huge science experiment for which another private corporation wants to force Indiana taxpayers to assume liability.
House Floor Votes on SB442: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
SB471: Offenses involving critical infrastructure
Status: Signed into law by Governor Holcomb
SB471 threatens the Constitutional Rights of all Hoosiers, including Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Association. It will impose high criminal punishment for offenses involving “critical infrastructure facilities,” which it defines as places such as power plants, pipelines, refineries, and dams, among many others. This legislation elevates the misdemeanor of trespass to a FELONY offense, punishable with up to 2½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If property damage occurs, the offense is punishable by up to six years and a $10,000 fine. The bill goes even further to make entire groups of people collectively liable for the actions of one individual. Any organization that simply verbalizes support for an individual, an organization, or an action, can be found guilty of an offense under this legislation, and could be fined up to $100,000. SB471 is riddled with ambiguity and will have an enormous chilling effect on the Constitutional Rights of Hoosiers.
Committee Votes on SB471: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
House Floor Votes on SB471: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB472: Utility rates and acquisitions
Status: Signed into law by Governor Holcomb.
SB472 was originally an attempt to modify and clarify regulatory laws around the acquisition of municipally owned water and wastewater utilities by larger investor-owned water utilities. This bill is an attempt to address the heart of the water & wastewater issues facing residents in Lake Station, IN, and Charlestown, IN.
House Floor Votes on SB472: 3 votes, all Pro-Consumer
SB613: Consumer credit (Payday lending)
Status: Died in the House
SB613 would create new payday installment loans of up to $1,800 in addition to the current payday products Indiana already offers. Plus, with these loans, lenders could add on fun stuff like credit insurance to make them even more expensive. CAC supports the lead taken by The Indiana Institute for Working Families in fighting to stop the passage of this bill.
House Floor Votes on SB613: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
HB1266: Sediment and erosion control in construction
Status: Signed into law by Governor Holcomb
Prohibits a community from requiring erosion and sediment control measures that are more stringent than those required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). HB1266 removes a measure of local control that communities have over construction projects within their communities.
House Floor Votes on HB1266: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
HB1278: Environmental matters
Status: Signed into law by Governor Holcomb
Prohibits a community from requiring erosion and sediment control measures that are more stringent than those required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). HB1266 removes a measure of local control that communities have over construction projects within their communities.
House Floor Votes on HB1278: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1331: Homeowners associations and solar power
Status: Died in Conference Committee
Prohibits homeowners associations (HOAs) from prohibiting homeowners within the association from installing solar systems on their homes; imposing unreasonable limitations on the owner's ability to install or use a solar energy system; and requiring the removal of a solar energy system that has been installed.
Provides, however, that a homeowners association may require preapproval of the location of a solar energy system and of the manner in which the solar energy system is installed. Applies only to rules, covenants, declarations of restrictions, and other governing documents adopted or amended by a homeowners association after June 30, 2019.
House Floor Votes on HB1331: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
HB1406: Water infrastructure assistance fund and program
Status: Signed into law by Governor Holcomb
HB1406 is a response to a very real clean water crisis that is growing across Indiana. Across the country and across our state, water delivery infrastructure is crumbling. It has not been properly maintained since it was originally installed. In many cases, the water delivery infrastructure has gone over 100 years without any real maintenance.
HB1406 is designed to allow the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) to have access to money from the State of Indiana to be able to create and manage loans for these small utilities to be able to make the necessary upgrades to their systems, while simultaneously allowing them to phase in the necessary rate increases over time in order to pay the loans back. The goal is to ensure that customers of these small utilities have access to clean water, while also preventing them from getting a jolting rate shock on their water and wastewater bills all at once.
House Floor Votes on HB1406: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
HB1470: Utility transmission improvements and costs
Status: Signed into law by Governor Holcomb
HB1470 is a clear attempt by Indiana’s monopoly utilities to usurp the regulatory process so they can raise your rates as much as they want, whenever they want. HB1470 amends the controversial Senate Enrolled Act 560 (SEA560, 2013), which gave Indiana’s electric and natural gas utilities a tracker to raise your rates virtually automatically for the costs related to investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure. This tracker is commonly referred to as the TDSIC (Transmission, Distribution, and Storage Improvement Charge).
HB1470 will effectively guarantee that captive Hoosier gas and electric customers will face ENORMOUS increases in their monthly utility bills. HB1470 mandates that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approve the TDSIC tracker even if the utilities have no idea what they will spend your money on. HB1470 mandates that the IURC allow the utilities to force you to pay for smart meters by including the cost of smart meters in the TDSIC tracker.
House Floor Votes on HB1470: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2018 Campaign Contributions: $26,300
2008 - 2018
2018 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 67%
For bill details, visit our 2018 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB362: Regulation of water and wastewater systems
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb.
Provides that a public utility, conservancy district, or regional water or sewage district that is organized as a legal entity after June 30, 2018 to provide water or wastewater service to the public is subject to the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission for the period of 10 years beginning on the day on which it is organized as a legal entity.
House Floor Votes on SB362: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB411: Distressed Utilities
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb.
The bill undercuts the regulatory process in any case involving the acquisition of a distressed water or wastewater utility which is placed before the Commission for approval. The bill would not only eliminate the ability of interested stakeholders to challenge, or even review, the sale price of the distressed utility. It would effectively turn the Commission into a rubber stamp, forcing the Commission to accept the sale price, no questions asked. This is a bridge too far which would make the Commission proceedings little more than a ministerial process, and remove any and all ability or authority the Commission may have in protecting consumers during these acquisition proceedings.
House Floor Votes on SB411: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1267: Water infrastructure task force
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb.
Establishes a water infrastructure task force to study Indiana’s drinking water systems, wastewater management systems, and storm water management systems. This bill charges the task force with the responsibility of developing a long term plan for addressing drinking water, wastewater, and storm water management needs in Indiana. Requires the task force to submit a report containing certain recommendations to the general assembly and the governor not later than December 1, 2018.
House Floor Votes on HB1267: 3 votes, all Pro-Consumer
HB1319: Small loans and unsecured consumer installment loans
Status: Died in the Senate Commerce & Technology Committee.
HB1319 was a highly controversial bill to legalize installment lending up to 222% APR. Currently, lenders can offer installment loans only if they remain under Indiana's criminal loan sharking law, which caps fees and interest at 72% APR. This new bill would allow payday lenders to offer larger, longer-term loans at up to 222% APR. Under current law, a typical payday borrower making $16,000 qualifies for a two-week payday loan of $266 and if they take 8-10 loans in a row, they would pay about $400 in fees. Under this new bill, a borrower making $16,000 per year could qualify for a one-year loan of $1500 and pay nearly $1600 in fees.
House Floor Votes on HB1319: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2017 Campaign Contributions: $23,200
2007 - 2017
2017 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 80%
For bill details, visit our 2017 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB309: Distributed Generation
Status: Signed in law by Gov. Pence
SB309 places a permanent prohibition on net metering in 5 years and ends net metering permanently in 30 years. This bill is an attempt by Indiana’s electric monopoly utilities to quash the rooftop solar industry and prevent homeowners and small businesses from generating their own energy on their own property using the power of the sun, the wind, and other renewable energy resources.
House Floor Votes on SB309: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
HB1519: Infrastructure development zone utility service
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
HB1519 puts in place a process which allows water utilities to acquire future water resources for the purpose of serving their customers and authorizes water utilities to seek approval from the Commission to replace customer-owned lead service lines. Additionally, the bill authorizes water and wastewater utilities to create a low-income assistance program in an attempt to insulate vulnerable Hoosier households from the significant increases in water and sewer bills by making their monthly bills more affordable
House Floor Votes on HB1519: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1494: Regulation of confined feeding operations
Status: Died in the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee
HB1494 significantly weakens the regulations of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOS) by eliminating and/or modifying certain disclosure, permitting and public notice requirements.
House Floor Votes on HB1494: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB416: Infrastructure assistance fund
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
SB416 creates a fund to assist communities struggling with the current funding challenges they face in maintaining and upgrading their water and wastewater infrastructure. The fund will allow communities and local utilities to seek grants, loans, and other financial assistance in an attempt to mitigate rate increases on consumers and reduce the financial burden on water utilities and local governments.
House Floor Votes on SB416: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2016 Campaign Contributions: $25,700
2006 - 2016
2016 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 50%
For bill details, visit our 2016 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
HB1082: Environmental Rules and Standards
Status: Vetoed by Gov. Pence
Would have made it illegal for Indiana’s Executive Branch to pass policies that are tighter for public health than what the U.S. EPA does, for those situations where the EPA has set standards. While the EPA has acted decisively to protect our air quality, there are many areas where the EPA has been, caweak. The EPA has not adequately protected the public from such serious environmental problems as pollution from fracking, factory farm manure pits, and outdoor wood boilers. HB1082 was also called the “No More Stringent Than Bill”.
House Floor Votes on HB1082: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
HB1053: Regulation of packaging materials
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
Amends the home rule statute to prohibit a local government unit from: (1) regulating: (A) certain activities with respect to reusable or disposable auxiliary containers designed for one time use or for transporting merchandise or food from food or retail facilities (auxiliary containers); or (B) a manufacturer of, a distributor of, or a food or retail facility that sells, provides, or otherwise makes use of, auxiliary containers, in connection with certain activities involving auxiliary containers; or (2) imposing any prohibition, restriction, fee, or tax with respect to auxiliary containers or to a manufacturer of, a distributor of, or a food or retail facility that sells, provides, or otherwise makes use of, auxiliary containers, in connection with certain activities involving auxiliary containers.
Essentially, HB1053 completely does away with local control by preempting city or county policies regulating plastic bags.
House Floor Votes on HB1053: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB15: Fresh Food Initiative
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
Establishes the food desert grant and loan program within the state department of health's division of nutrition and physical activity to assist new businesses, existing businesses, and other legal entities to offer fresh and unprocessed foods within a food desert. Defines "food desert". Requires the division to establish: (1) criteria for awarding grants and making loans under the program; and (2) terms and conditions for recipients of the grants and loans. Provides that the recipient of a grant or loan: (1) may use the proceeds only to acquire, repair, or renovate property or equipment to be used in offering fresh and unprocessed foods within a food desert; and (2) shall not use the proceeds to acquire food to be sold. Establishes the food deserts fund for purposes of awarding grants and loans under the program.
House Floor Votes on SB15: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB347: Water resources
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
This bill enables more comprehensive reporting of water resource issues including water distribution challenges and infrastructure needs.
House Floor Votes on SB347: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
SB383: System integrity adjustments
Status:Signed into law by Gov. Pence
SB383 creates a new tracker for water utilities to use for infrastructure improvements and repairs with some important “first of its kind” accountability measures imposed on the utility.
More importantly, SB383 includes a new policy statement from the legislature, which is applicable to all public utilities, declaring that utility bills should be affordable for current and future generations. CAC offered strong support for this important policy direction from the legislature.
House Floor Votes on SB383: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2015 Campaign Contributions: $19,500
2005 - 2015
2015 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 0%
For bill details, visit our 2015 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB412: Demand side management
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
After the State Legislature killed Indiana’s incredibly effective efficiency programs (Energizing Indiana) last year, Gov. Pence promised a strong efficiency bill this year. What we got instead was a bill that allows utilities to run their own efficiency programs without strong goals being set in Indiana’s energy policy. It allows utilities to steal the economic benefits of energy efficiency from customers by charging us hundreds of millions for energy we don’t use because of efficiency measures. This bill is so bad, Hoosiers would be better off without any bill at all.
House Floor Votes on SB412: 3 votes, all Anti-Consumer
HB1351: Restrictions on rulemaking
Status: Died in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
Voids state administrative rules, guidelines, and other policies or standards that are not specifically authorized by state statue or do not implement a federal requirement. Establishes the office of regulatory accountability in the legislative services agency to review administrative rules for compliance with regulatory goals specified by the general assembly.
House Floor Votes on HB1351: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SJR2: Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife
Status: As a joint resolution, SJR2 did not require the Governor's approval. The measure was approved by two consecutive and separately elected legislative bodies for placement into Indiana's Constitution.
Senate Joint Resolution 2 is an amendment to the Indiana State Constitution "that provides that the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of Indiana's heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good."
CAC's concern with this bill was that it is unnecessary and that "wildlife" is not well defined, so this proposed amendment could put the interests of big farmers above those of other Hoosiers. Granting factory farms special protection in the Indiana State Constitution puts an end to local control, taking away to the ability of local communities to pass local ordinances that protect their interests. No industry should have special protections in the Indiana Constitution.
Committee Votes on SJR2: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
House Floor Votes on SJR2: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2014 Campaign Contributions: $21,300
2004 - 2014
2014 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 14%
For bill details, visit our 2014 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB340: Demand Side Management Programs
Status: Became law without Gov. Pence's signature
CAC fought long and hard to help bring energy efficiency programs to Indiana. These programs have been running for a couple of years now, and they're working - energy efficiency is reducing the demand for electricity in our state. This reduces the need to build more power plants, which means we don't have to pay for more power plants, which keeps our electric bills from skyrocketing.
SB340 dismantles energy efficiency programs in Indiana. SB340 is simply bad public policy.
House Floor Votes on SB340: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
SB186: State Policy on Agriculture and Farmers' Rights
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
Senate Bill 186 is being promoted as a way to protect farmer’s rights. In reality this bill puts the interests of big farmers above those of other Hoosiers. It is completely unnecessary and puts other property owners, our environment and rural communities at risk. Granting factory farms special protection in state law will put an end to local control, taking away to the ability of local communities to pass local ordinances that protect their interests. No industry should have special protections in the law. Many Hoosiers who live in close proximity to factory farms are already suffering from their effects. Our rights need to be protected!
House Floor Votes on SB186: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
SJR9: Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife
Status: Passed the 2014 Indiana General Assembly. This is a proposed constitutional amendment, so it can now be proposed again in the next session of the legislature that convenes after a general election has taken place.
Provides that the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of Indiana's heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good. CAC's concern with this bill is that "wildlife" is not well defined, and so this bill could turn into something akin to SB186 (above).
Committee Votes on SJR9: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
House Floor Votes on SJR9: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB101: Agricultural Operations and Criminal Tresspass (Ag Gag)
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
Senate Bill 101, the 2014 version of Ag-Gag, would have had a chilling effect on the public’s right to know how our food is produced and processed. In its original form, this bill would have made it a crime to expose illegal or unethical practices at farms in Indiana.
We were able to neutralize the bill's impact on consumers with the amendments that were inserted in the Senate committee, and we helped to keep bad language from creeping back into the bill as it moved through the process. We are pleased that once again this year we helped to stop big ag's attempts to operate in secret and to preemptively prevent whistleblowers from exposing their inhumane and unsafe practices.
Committee Votes on SB101: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
House Floor Votes on SB101: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
HB1391: CHOICE program
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
Changes asset limitations within the community and home options to institutional care for the elderly and disabled program (program) from $500,000 to $250,000 and specifies certain exemptions. This bill expands the CHOICE Home Care Program to allow more Hoosiers to have access to the in-home care services they need.
House Floor Votes on HB1391: 3 votes; 2 Pro-Consumer, 1 Anti-Consumer
HB1162: Certificates of Need for Utilities
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
The issue of competitive procurement was brought to the General Assembly in an attempt to bring fairness and transparency to the process of the electric utilities decision making process with respect to securing resources to serve the needs of their customers. Currently, Indiana law does not require the utilities to conduct a public bidding process when they need additional generation resources, whether they need new generation or are considering expensive modifications to existing resources. A public and transparent process would help to ensure that the utilities were in fact selecting the resource which would provide service to their customers at the “least cost” reasonably possible. However, HB1162 was amended in the House Utility Committee to cement the existing, flawed process into law, which changes nothing and creates the false appearance that Indiana now has a “competitive” process in place. HB1162 is nothing more than an attempt by the utility lobby to put an end to this necessary conversation and maintain the status quo.
House Floor Votes on HB1162: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1143: Environmental Rules and Standards
Status: Died in the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee
Would have prohibited the environmental rules board from adopting a rule or standard that is more stringent than the corresponding regulation or standard established under federal law. Makes corresponding changes in the law concerning the adoption of environmental rules.
House Floor Votes on HB1143: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2013 Campaign Contributions: $15,250
2003 - 2013
2013 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 25%
For bill details, visit our 2013 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB560 Utility Transmission
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
This bill will virtually allow Indiana electric and natural gas to raise your rates automatically, and at the same time deregulate most of their monopoly revenue and profits.
House Floor Votes on SB560: 6 votes, all Anti-Consumer
SB494/510 Substitute Natural Gas
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence
Restores some regulatory oversight over the proposed Indiana Gasification/Leucadia coal-to-gas plant in Rockport, IN by defining what is meant by a "guarantee of savings" to ratepayers and requiring the IURC to ensure that ratepayers are provided an actual guarantee of savings from this project.
The original language in SB510 promised to protect consumers from unreasonable and excessive charges for substitute natural gas (SNG) from the proposed Indiana Gasification/Leucadia coal-to-gas plant in Rockport, IN. SB510 died in the House.
House Floor Votes on SB494/510: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2011 Campaign Contributions: $12,275
2001 - 2011
2011 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 0%
For bill details, visit our 2011 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB251: This bill was the mother lode for the utilities this year. It does the following:
Defines clean energy as virtually any technology that produces electricity; which includes truly renewable sources like wind and solar, but also includes, but is not limited to, nuclear, coal gasification, solid waste, coal bed methane, and industrial byproducts.
Gives the utilities all kinds of trackers, which allow the utilities to raise your rates when their costs go up without having to lower your rates when their costs go down.
Gives eminent domain to private corporations for carbon dioxide pipelines
Allows utilities to use Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) to charge ratepayers to uprate nuclear power plants before the uprate actually produces any electricity
House Floor Votes on SB251: 10 votes, all Anti-Consumer
HB1128: This bill was essentially the same as SB251, except that it did not include the eminent domain.
House Floor Votes on HB1128: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
SB71: This bill will essentially open the State of Indiana to hydrofracking (hydraulic fracturing) coal seams for the purpose of extracting coal bed methane, with no requirement that the operators of these wells comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act or even allow the public to comment on the permits or know the location of where these operations will take place.
House Floor Votes on SB71: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB66: This bill amends the definition of "renewable energy resources" in utilities law to add low temperature, oxygen starved gasification of municipal solid waste (burning trash to make electricity).
House Floor Votes on SB66: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2010 Campaign Contributions: $14,425
2000 - 2010
2010 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 33%
For bill details, visit our 2010 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB313: Net Metering
Status: Dead
SB313 would expand eligible net metering customer classes to allow individuals, businesses, commercial industries, and universities to interconnect to the grid and generate their own power. SB313 would not set a limit on the size of the system a customer could install, unless you are a residential customer or K-12 schools, in which case you remain captive to the current rule. This bill encourages renewable energy production, energy independence, and customer owned generation.
Votes on SB313: 1 vote, Pro-Consumer
HB1063: Energy Efficient Buildings
Status: Dead
HB1063 requires a government building to be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to achieve or exceed the level of energy efficiency required under certain rating systems. Buildings represent 39% of the energy, 72% of the electricity, and 55% of the natural gas in the U.S. annually. The benefits of green building are a significant cost savings for Indiana taxpayers, improved worker health and productivity, improved public and environmental health, and a huge reduction in CO2 emissions.
Votes on HB1063: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1094: Net Metering
Status: Dead
Currently, net metering is limited to only 10 kilowatts, and only to residential customers and K-12 schools. Authored by Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D, South Bend) this bill would expand eligible customers classes to allow individuals, businesses, commercial industries, and universities to generate their own electricity. The utility would also be required to add a credit to the customer's bill for any surplus power that is generated. This bill encourages renewable energy production, energy independence. and customer owned generation.
Votes on HB1094: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2009 Campaign Contributions: $11,425
1999 - 2009
2009 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 31%
For bill details, visit our 2009 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
HB1080: Sales tax exemption for home energy assistance
Status: Died in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
HB1080 would have made the sales tax exemption for low-income home energy assistance permanent. The exemption is set to expire on July 1, 2009. Households that receive home energy assistance live at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The federal poverty level for a family of 4 is currently set at $22,050. These families receive these dollars out of need. Poor families struggle daily to provide food, shelter, clothing, and health care for themselves and family members. This daily struggle to survive is exacerbated in the winter time, as their energy costs significantly increase, trying to keep their family warm. Adding additional expense by taxing these assistance dollars is inhumane and wrong. It should also be noted that LIHEAP dollars come from the Federal Government, or taxpayers. These funds are a result of tax dollars, and there is something fundamentally wrong and unethical about assessing a State tax on Federal tax dollars.
Votes on HB1080: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1347: Net Metering
Status: Died in the Senate Utilities & Technology Committee
HB1347 expanded Indiana’s net metering rule to allow any utility customer, including customers of cooperatives and municipals, to connect a renewable energy system with a capacity of 5 megawatts, up from the current law of 10 kilowatts. Current law also limits the program to residential and K-12 schools only. HB1347 would have expanded the program to all customer classes.
Votes on HB1347: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1348: Energy conservation codes and standards
Status: Vetoed by the Governor
Authored by Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D, South Bend), and joined by co-authors Rep. Pierce and Rep. Bill Ruppel (R, N. Manchester), requires the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission to adopt the most recent edition of the (1) International Energy Conservation Code as published by the International Code Council; or (2) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, or Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 90.1; for commercial structures before July 1, 2010.
Votes on HB1348: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
HB1352: The Climate Registry
Status: Died in the Senate Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee
HB1352 would have required the state of Indiana to become a member of and participate in the Climate Registry concerning greenhouse gas emissions reporting and reduction. This bill would have ensured Indiana’s place at the table in developing policies related to carbon dioxide air emissions. Given Indiana’s disproportionate contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, Indiana’s participation in the Climate Registry is a key to acknowledging our shortcomings and facing our challenges for the betterment of generations to come. However thanks to the influence of special interests, Indiana continues to stand in the middle of the railroad tracks, waiting to be run over by the freight train known as climate legislation.
Votes on HB1352: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1360: Alternative energy incentives for REMCs
Status: Died in the Senate
Originally, HB1360 intended to create an alternative energy fund for the REMCs. After the bill moved out of the House, it was assigned to the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy committee and became a vehicle for Sen. Hershman to do the bidding of the utilities. The bill moved out of committee by a vote of 10-1. However, when the bill was scheduled for 2nd reading on the Senate floor, 15 amendments were offered, most of which were offered by CAC and AT&T. The amendments muddied the waters so much, that the bill was not called down and died.
Votes on HB1360: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1415: Tax deduction for solar powered roof vents and fans
Status: Died in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
This bill provides an individual income tax deduction of up to $5,000 for the installation of solar-powered roof vents or fans. Solar attic fans have proven to save consumers $75-$150 per year on their energy bills. Not only do these fans save consumers money, they also reduce energy by lowering cooling and heating bills and by using the power of the sun to power the systems. These roof vents and fans will help mitigate climate change, by reducing the need to burn dirty, fossil fuels. Indiana is home to one of the largest manufacturers of these fans; therefore this bill will create new, green manufacturing jobs for our State. HB1415 will help protect our environment, our health, save consumers money, and help to create new, green jobs.
Votes on HB1415: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1620: Energy Efficient Buildings
Status: Died in the Senate Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee
HB1620 would have required certain government buildings be designed and constructed to achieve or exceed the level of energy efficiency required under certain rating systems. Opposition to this legislation is short sighted and is effectively a mandate on taxpayers to pay more for utilities, and fails to recognize the positive impact that green building design has on worker productivity and worker health. By failing to move this bill for a second year in a row, the Indiana Senate is costing the taxpayers of Indiana millions of dollars in unnecessary utility bills, ignoring the environmental impacts of fossil fuel emissions and pollution, and undermining the economy of our State.
Votes on HB1620: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1669: Geothermal conversion loans
Status: Effective 7-1-09
HB1669 establishes the Geothermal Conversion Revolving Fund for the purpose of making loans to school corporations that: (1) install a geothermal heating and cooling system in a new facility; or (2) install a geothermal heating and cooling system that replaces a conventional heating and cooling system.
Votes on HB1669: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer
SB300: Net Metering
Status: Died in Conference Committee
SB300 expanded Indiana’s net metering rule to allow a customer of an investor owned utility to connect to the grid a renewable energy system with a capacity of 100 kW or less, up from the current law of only 10 kW. Current law also limits the program to residential and K-12 schools only. SB300 would have expanded the program to all customer classes. Net metering is currently an administrative rule of the IURC; SB300 would have codified net metering and put it into statute. The bill was written by the Indiana Energy Association, or the investor owned utilities.
Votes on SB300: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB420: Renewable energy (Redefining “renewable energy” & Opening Indiana’s Door to Nuclear Power)
Status: Died in Conference Committee
This bill redefined “renewable energy” to include coal, amended Indiana’s terrible CWIP (construction work in progress) laws to include nuclear power plants (allowing the utilities to charge ratepayers for a nuclear power plant as it is being constructed, before it produces any electricity), and added trackers for the cost recovery of fees associated with siting, design, licensing, and permitting of the new generation facility even if the new facility is never built or placed in service.
Votes on SB420: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
SB423: Substitute natural gas contracts
Status: Signed into law by Governor Daniels on 3-24-09
SB423 permits the Indiana Finance Authority to enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of substitute natural gas (SNG) from coal gasification facilities to regulated energy utilities for delivery to retail end use customers. It also requires the authority to establish the Substitute Natural Gas Account to provide funding for SNG related business.
Votes on SB423: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
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Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel, District 39)
2008 Campaign Contributions: $13,925
1998 - 2008
2008 Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage: 0%
For bill details, visit our 2008 Indiana General Assembly Bill Watch List.
SB223 & HB1117: Coal Gasification and Substitute Natural Gas
Status of SB223: Signed into law by the Governor.
Status of HB1117: Dead
SB223 was authored by Senator Brandt Hershman (R, Monticello), with Senator Ryan Mishler (R, Bremen) as a second author and Senators Karen Tallian (D, Portage), John Waterman (R, Shelburn), and Dennis Kruse (R, Auburn) as co-authors. HB1117 was authored by Representative Russell Stilwell (D, Boonville), with co-authors Reps. Eric Koch (R, Bedford), Kreg Battles (D, Vincennes), and Jack Lutz, (R, Anderson).
These bills contained identical language that allow an out-of-state venture capitalist firm (Leucadia) that seeks to build a coal gasification plant in Southern Indiana to assign tax credits to coal and substitute natural gas producers outside of Indiana. CAC opposed last year’s legislation, which paved the way for construction of this coal plant, as it locked natural gas suppliers, and hence ratepayers, into 30 year contracts for the substitute natural gas, whatever the price, that neither the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission or other governmental entity could subsequently change or even review. CAC raised concerns that it would also spew millions of new tons of CO2 into Indiana’s atmosphere each year.
Promises made last year to garner support for the coal plant – that it would use Indiana coal and produce substitute natural gas in Indiana – were removed in SB223 in a classic “bait & switch” scheme designed to secure financing regardless of the negative impact to Indiana ratepayers or the economic best interests of the state.
House Floor Votes on SB223: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
House Floor Votes on HB1117: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1102: State Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)
Status: Dead
Authored by Representative Dave Crooks (Washington), HB1102 was designed to jumpstart a renewable energy market in Indiana by establishing a statewide Renewable Electricity Standard. Over fifty percent the states in the country now have an RES. Most wind development, for instance, is in those states. Indiana has enormous wind potential but the legislation failed in committee due to a bipartisan effort among Republicans and Democrats alike to support the utility and coal industries against the greater interests of ratepayers and economy of Indiana. An RES mandates utility companies to provide a certain percent of their electric generation using renewable energy resources. HB1102 envisioned 10% renewables by 2018, giving utilities leeway if compliance proved to be unachievable, which, given the experience in other states, would be next to impossible. In addition, studies in Indiana and across the nation demonstrate that the rate impacts of RES’ are minimal, at most 5% but usually 1 to 2 percent over the designated time periods. However, the economic gains in terms of investment and job growth are enormous.
Committee Votes on HB1102: none
HB1090: Climate Registry
Status: Dead
HB1090 would have required Indiana to become a member of the Climate Registry, a collaboration between states (39 have joined), Canadian provinces and tribes to develop and manage a common greenhouse gas emissions reporting system in anticipation of future mandatory reduction policies. Authored by Representative Ryan Dvorak (D, South Bend), HB1090 would have ensured Indiana’s place at the table in developing policies related to CO2 air emissions. Given Indiana’s disproportionate contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (1st in the nation in per person CO2 air emissions and 5th in CO2 air emissions from coal-fired power plants overall), Indiana’s participation in the Climate Registry is key to acknowledging our shortcomings and facing our challenges for the betterment of generations to come.
House Floor Votes on HB1090: 1 vote, Anti-Consumer
HB1280: Green Building Standards
Status: Passed to a Summer Study Committee
Authored by Rep. Matt Pierce (D, Bloomington), and joined by co-authors Terri Austin (D, Anderson) and Greg Porter (D, Indianapolis), as introduced HB1280 would have required large, state, educational, and local public works building projects (other than public schools) – those that are newly constructed, as well as those subject to repair or alteration – to be designed with the goal of achieving the silver rating under the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the Green Globes Two Globes level or an equivalent rating system accredited by the American National Standards Institute. These systems rate buildings based on the sustainability of the site, the materials and other resources, water and energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.
House Floor Votes on HB1280: 2 votes, both Anti-Consumer
