2022 Consumer, Energy, & Utility Bill Watch List

Updated: 4/26/22

Back to 2022 Indiana General Assembly

Bad Bills

HB1209: Carbon Sequestration Projects

Authors: Rep. Ed Soliday (R), Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D), Rep. Ethan Manning (R), Rep. David Abbott (R)

Sponsors: Sen. Susan Glick (R), Sen. Jon Ford (R), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D), Sen. Blake Doriot (R)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC opposes this bill

Votes:

1/18/22: The House Natural Resources Committee passed 4 amendments by consent, then passed HB1209 out of committee by a vote of 10-2.
1/24/22: The House Ways and Means Committee amended HB1209 by consent, then passed it by a vote of 10-4.
1/26/22: HB1209 was amended by voice vote. A second amendment was voted down by a vote of 29-63. A third amendment was voted down by a vote of 27-65.
1/27/22: The House passed HB1209 by a vote of 76-13.
2/21/22: The Senate Natural Resources Committee amended HB1209 by consent, and passed it by a vote of 7-2.
2/24/22: The Senate Appropriations Committee amended HB1209 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 7-5.
3/01/22: The Senate passed HB1209 by a vote of 28-20.
3/02/22: The House concurred in Senate amendments by a vote of 75-17.
3/18/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: 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.

HB1249: Carbon Sequestration Pilot Project (companion to SB265)

Authors: Rep. David Abbott (R), Rep. Sean Eberhart (R), Rep. Alan Morrison (R)

Sponsors: Sen. Jon Ford (R), Sen. Mark Messmer (R)

Status: Died in the Senate Natural Resources Committee

Votes:

1/18/22: The House Natural Resources Committee passed HB1249 by a vote of 7-5.
1/20/22: HB1249 was amended twice in the House by voice vote.
1/24/22: The House passed HB1249 by a vote of 56-37.

SB265: Carbon Sequestration Pilot Project (companion to HB1249)

Authors: Sen. Jon Ford (R), Sen. Mark Messmer (R), Sen. David Niezgodski (D)

Sponsors: Rep. Alan Morrison (R), Rep. David Abbott (R), Rep. Jeff Ellington (R)

Status: Died in the House

Votes:

1/24/22: The Senate Environmental Affairs Committee passed SB265 by a vote of 10-1.
1/31/22: The Senate amended SB265 by voice vote.
2/01/22: The Senate passed SB265 by a vote of 27-22.
2/14/22: The House Natural Resources Committee passed SB265 by a vote of 8-3.
2/17/22: The House defeated Rep. Boy's amendment by a vote of 26-61.
2/21/22: The House defeated SB265 by a vote of 43-53.

Position: CAC opposes these bills

Description: 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.

This is clearly another huge science experiment for which a private corporation wants to force Indiana property owners and taxpayers to assume liability and take on most of the risk. It makes no sense to open up the entire State of Indiana to the long-term storage of carbon dioxide waste. CCS is a false solution to climate change that endangers the health, safety, and the financial wellbeing of Hoosier taxpayers.

HB1249 & SB265 do the following:

Force Hoosier property owners to allow dangerous, highly-pressurized carbon dioxide waste captured from dirty manufacturing facilities to be stored long-term underneath their properties without their consent.
Grants eminent domain to private corporations with no requirement that they compensate private property owners for condemning their property.
Insulates the polluters from any liability associated with any problems which can occur as a result of storing highly pressurized carbon dioxide waste underground.

The potential risks related to the underground storage of highly-pressurized CO2 waste include:

The possibility of carbon dioxide leaking into our aquifers, poisoning our water.
The possibility of carbon dioxide migrating to the surface, causing asphyxiation because carbon dioxide is heavier than oxygen and displaces oxygen.
The possibility of long-term underground storage of carbon dioxide increasing seismic activity.

SB271: Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Authors: Sen. Eric Koch (R), Sen. Blake Doriot (R), Sen. Jean Leising (R), Sen. Justin Busch (R), Sen. Scott Baldwin (R), Sen. Jon Ford (R), Sen. Dennis Kruse (R), Sen. James Buck (R), Sen. Mike Gaskill (R), Sen. Philip Boots (R), Sen. James Tomes (R), Sen. Kyle Walker (R), Sen. Jeff Raatz (R), Sen. Stacey Donato (R), Sen. Travis Holdman (R), Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R), Sen. Chip Perfect (R), Sen. Linda Rogers (R), Sen. Michael Young (R), Sen. Eric Bassler (R), Sen. Jack Sandlin (R), Sen. Greg Walker (R), Sen. Susan Glick (R), Sen. Andy Zay (R), Sen. Michael Crider (R), Sen. Aaron Freeman (R), Sen. Mark Messmer (R)

Sponsors: Rep. Edmond Soliday (R), Rep. Matt Lehman (R), Rep. Jeff Ellington (R), Rep. Randall Frye (R)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC opposes this bill

Votes:

1/20/22: The Senate Utilities Committee amended SB271 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 8-2.
2/01/22: The Senate passed SB271 by a vote of 39-9.
2/15/22: The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee passed SB271 by a vote of 8-3.
2/22/22: The House passsed SB271 by a vote of 70-22.
3/18/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: 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. More background on SMRs here.

HB1221: Electric Vehicles and Electricity Pricing

Authors: Rep. Ed Soliday (R), Rep. Ethan Manning (R), Rep. Sharon Negele (R)

Sponsors: Sen. Eric Koch (R), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D), Sen. Liz Brown (R), Sen. Stacey Donato (R), Sen. Blake Doriot (R)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC supported the original version of this bill, but opposed it after it was amended in the Senate Utilities Committee

Votes:

1/18/22: The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee amended HB1221 four times by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 13-0.
1/20/22: The House amended HB1221 by voice vote.
1/24/22: The House passed HB1221 by a vote of 94-0.
2/10/22: The Senate Utilities Committee amended HB1221 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 10-0.
2/17/22: The Senate adopted Sen. Koch's amendment by voice vote.
2/21/22: The Senate passed HB1221 by a vote of 33-13.
3/02/22: The House concurred in Senate amendments by a vote of 66-25.
3/11/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: 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).

HB1224: Government Investments and Contracts (dead)

Authors: Rep. Ethan Manning (R), Rep. Ed Soliday (R), Rep. Robert Heaton (R)

Status: Died in the House

Position: CAC opposes this bill

Votes:

1/25/22: The Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee amended HB1224 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 7-5.
1/27/22: The House amended HB1224 twice by voice vote.

Description: 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.”

Good Bills

HB1111: Utility Regulatory Commission Reporting and Rules

Authors: Rep. Ed Soliday (R), Rep. Ethan Manning (R), Rep. Matt Pierce (D), Rep. Randall Frye (R)

Sponsors: Sen. Eric Koch (R), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D), Sen. Shelli Yoder (D), Sen. Liz Brown (R), Sen. Andy Zay (R), Sen. Jean Leising (R), Sen. Blake Doriot (R)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC supports this bill

Votes:

1/11/22: The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee amended HB1111 by consent, then passed it by a vote of 12-0.
1/18/22: The House passed HB1111 by a vote of 89-0.
2/10/22: The Senate Utilities Committee passed HB1111 by a vote of 10-0.
2/21/22: The Senate passed HB1111 by a vote of 46-0.
3/10/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: IURC agency bill, authorizes FERC Order 2222 rulemaking

HB1196: Homeowners Associations and Solar Power

Authors: Rep. Mike Speedy (R), Rep. Jerry Torr (R), Rep. Zach Payne (R), Rep. Carey Hamilton (D)

Sponsors: Sen. Linda Rogers (R), Sen. Aaron Freeman (R)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC supports this bill

Votes:

1/13/22: The House Judiciary Committee amended HB1196 by consent, then passed it by a vote of 10-0.
1/24/22: The House passed HB1196 by a vote of 82-11.
2/09/22: The Senate Judiciary Committee amended HB1196 by consent, then passed it by a vote of 7-4.
2/24/22: The Senate passed HB1196 by a vote of 40-8.
3/01/22: The House concurred in Senate amendments by a vote of 84-7.
3/10/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: HB1196 makes it harder for Homeowners Associations to prohibit residents from adding solar panels.

SB147: Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower

Authors: Sen. Eric Koch (R), Sen. Chip Perfect (R), Sen. Andy Zay (R), Sen. Blake Doriot (R), Sen. Stacey Donato (R), Sen. Jean Leising (R), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D), Sen. Dennis Kruse (R), Sen. Shelli Yoder (D)

Sponsors: Rep. Edmond Soliday (R), Rep. Ethan Manning (R), Rep. Carey Hamilton (D), Rep. Pat Boy (D)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC supports this bill

Votes:

1/13/22: The Senate Utilities Committee passed SB147 out of committee by a vote of 9-0.
1/24/22: The Senate passed SB147 by a vote of 47-0.
2/08/22: The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee passed SB147 by a vote of 10-0.
2/15/22: The House defeated Rep. Pierce's amendment by voice vote.
2/21/22: The House passed SB147 by a vote of 92-0.
3/18/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: Adds underground pumped hydro to the definition of clean energy and renewable energy.

SB272: Wastewater Infrastructure

Authors: Sen. Eric Koch (R), Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R), Sen. Blake Doriot (R), Sen. Susan Glick (R), Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R), Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D), Sen. David Niezgodski (D), Sen. Andy Zay (R), Sen. Erin Houchin (R), Sen. Stacey Donato (R), Sen. Jean Leising (R), Sen. Eric Bassler (R), Sen. Rodney Pol (D), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D), Sen. Shelli Yoder (D)

Sponsors: Rep. Edmond Soliday (R), Rep. Carey Hamilton (D), Rep. Ethan Manning (R), Rep. Maureen Bauer (D)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC supports this bill

Votes:

1/13/22: The Senate Utilities Committee amended SB272 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 10-0.
1/24/22: The Senate amended SB272 by voice vote.
1/25/22: The Senate passed SB272 by a vote of 46-0.
2/15/22: The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee amended SB272 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 11-0.
2/21/22: The House passed SB272 by a vote of 95-0.
2/24/22: The Senate concurred in House amendments by a vote of 47-0.
3/07/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: adopts the recommendations of the Wastewater Task Force

SB273: Financing of Water and Wastewater Utility Assets

Authors: Sen. Eric Koch (R), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D), Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R)

Sponsors: Rep. Edmond Soliday (R)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC supports this bill

Votes:

1/20/22: The Senate Utility Committee amended SB273 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 8-0.
2/01/22: The Senate passed SB273 by a vote of 48-0.
2/22/22: The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee passed SB273 by a vote of 12-0.
2/28/22: The House passed SB273 by a vote of 93-1.
3/10/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: 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.

SB411: Commercial Solar and Wind Energy (siting bill)

Authors: Sen. Mark Messmer (R), Sen. Eric Koch (R), Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D)

Sponsors: Rep. Edmond Soliday (R), Rep. Justin Moed (D), Rep. Sharon Negele (R)

Status: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Position: CAC supports this bill

Votes:

1/20/22: The Senate Utilites Committee passed SB411 by a vote of 7-1.
1/27/22: The Senate amended SB411 by voice vote.
2/01/22: The Senate passed SB411 by a vote of 41-7.
2/15/22: The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee amended SB411 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 10-0.
2/22/22: The House Ways and Means Committee amended SB411 by consent, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 23-0.
2/24/22: Rep. Negele's amendment prevailed by voice vote.
2/28/22: The House passed SB411 by a vote of 84-9.
3/02/22: The Senate concurred in House amendments by a vote of 34-14.
3/11/22: Signed into law by Gov. Holcomb

Description: 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

HB1136: Net Metering for Electricity Generation (dead)

Authors: Rep. Anthony Cook (R), Rep. Donna Schaibley (R), Rep. Carey Hamilton (D)

Status: Died in the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: extends phase-out of net metering by three years, increases 1.5% cap to 3%, allows public-use customers (cities, towns, counties, schools) to aggregate up to 3 meters -

HB1250: Community Solar Facility Program (dead; companion to SB313)

Authors: Rep. Sue Errington (D), Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D), Rep. Robin Shackleford (D)

Status: Died in the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: requires the investor-owned electric utilities to issue RFPs for the creation of up to five community solar projects in their service territory

HB1304: Distributed Energy Generation (dead; companion to SB248)

Authors: Rep. Alan Morrison (R)

Status: Died in the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: requires that the netting interval used to compensate owners of DG for the excess energy they deliver to the grid is calculated on a monthly, or billing cycle interval, not on an instantaneous basis

SB153: Annual Customer Reports by Utilities (dead)

Authors: Sen. Jean Breaux (D)

Status: Died in the Senate Utilities Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: requires jurisdictional utilities to annually report to the IURC certain data concerning customer accounts and low-income customer accounts, such as arrearage, disconnect, and reconnect amounts

SB248: Distributed Energy Generation (dead; companion to HB1304)

Authors: Sen. Liz Brown (R), Sen. J.D. Ford (D)

Status: Died in the Senate Utilities Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

SB127: Study of Low-Carbon and Green Industries (dead)

Authors: Sen. Tim Lanane (D)

Status: Died in the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: requires IU SPEA to assess the potential for green and low-carbon industries in Indiana and report findings to Legislative Council

SB170: Pension Investments in Fossil Fuel Companies (dead)

Authors: Sen. Shelli Yoder (D)

Status: Died in the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: requires the Indiana public retirement system to divest from any company “that is publicly traded and identified as one of the 200 largest reserve-owning fossil fuel companies based on the amount of carbon emissions in a company's oil, gas, and coal reserves.”

SB313: Community Solar Facility Program (dead; companion to HB1250)

Authors: Sen. Shelli Yoder (D), Sen. J.D. Ford (D)

Status: Died in the Senate Utilities Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: requires the investor-owned electric utilities to issue RFPs for the creation of up to five community solar projects in their service territory

SB314: Net Metering for Electricity Generation (dead)

Authors: Sen. Shelli Yoder (D), Sen. J.D. Ford (D)

Status: Died in the Senate Utilities Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: repeals the phase-out of net metering on July 1, 2022, requires investor-owned utilities to file new net metering tariffs by July 1, 2022, increases the nameplate capacity available to customers for net metering from 1.5% to 5%

SB334: Mandatory Utility Base Rate Cases (dead)

Authors: Sen. Jean Breaux (D)

Status: Died in the Senate Utilities Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

Description: requires that jurisdictional utilities file base rate cases at least once every five years

Watching

HB1002: Various Tax Matters

HB1172: Eminent Domain by Public Utilities

HB1245: Connections to Water and Sewer Systems

HB1263: Sewer and Storm Water Fees Incurred by Tenants

SB176: Agricultural Land Used for Wind or Solar Energy

SB278: Indiana Geological and Water Survey Advisory Council