United's Trish Demeter spoke with Indy Politics about a report commissioned by United that demonstrated how expanded solar power generation in Indiana could bring hundreds of millions in tax revenue, create new jobs, and increase energy independence across the state.
Topics: United In The News, Indiana, Trish Demeter, Solar
Increased advanced power generation could deliver millions in tax revenue to local communities, bolster Hoosiers' energy independence, and keep costs down for consumers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – A surge in economic development in Indiana is driving a growing need for electricity, and a new report shows solar power produced in-state would help meet this demand – but only if proposed projects are actually built. Indiana is a Midwest leader in attracting advanced manufacturing and technology-driven economic growth, and the report makes clear that advanced power resources such as solar could power the state’s bright future.
The new report, from Baker Tilly, “Forecasting the Economic Impact Potential of Solar in Indiana,” shows expanding solar power generation in Indiana would drive millions in additional tax revenue to local communities to help pay for community and emergency services, all while creating new jobs, helping to lower energy costs and enabling the state to maintain its economic development momentum by meeting growing electricity demand.
Topics: Press Releases, Economic Impact, Indiana, Trish Demeter
United's Trish Demeter authored an opinion piece for the Indianapolis Business Journal, arguing Indiana will need to embrace new clean energy solutions in order to meet rising electricity demands, develop high-growth jobs, and position the state as a leader in sustainable growth.
Topics: United In The News, Indiana, Trish Demeter
In an opinion piece featured in Indiana Capitol Chronicle, United's Caryl Auslander writes that Indiana is at a crossroads: to power the state with forward-looking advanced energy technologies or cling to inefficient, costly coal.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Indiana
The newly passed law, HEA 1194, is predicted to save millions of taxpayer dollars by factoring lifetime operating costs into state vehicle purchases
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Holcomb signed into law yesterday a bill requiring the Indiana Department of Administration to apply a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis when purchasing new light-duty vehicles for their state fleet. TCO considers differences in the average cost of fueling and maintaining vehicles, allowing the state to generate significant savings over the lifespan of a vehicle compared to vehicle purchases based on sticker price alone.
Indiana joins states like Nevada and Virginia in applying this good governance measure, which a report last year from national business association Advanced Energy United found could save Indiana $62.4 million over 15 years.
Topics: Press Releases, Indiana, Electric Vehicles, Trish Demeter
We have the technologies today to deliver reliable, clean, homegrown energy for Indiana while saving Hoosiers billions of dollars. The “solutions” proposed by Mr. Robert Turner in his Viewpoint on Nov. 24 [“As winter nears, state must protect reliable coal energy”] would be a barrier to truly reliable, affordable energy in Indiana.
Topics: United In The News, Indiana, Trish Demeter
E&E News compares how neighboring states Illinois and Indiana have addressed the growth of renewables, quoting Indiana state lead Caryl Auslander on the findings of a new poll from Advanced Energy United showing support more renewables in Indiana's energy mix and rules to make projects easier to build.
Illinois and Indiana are separated by more than a state line, time zones and which political party dominates state government.
The Midwest neighbors have also taken opposite tacks to enable more renewable energy development.
Topics: United In The News, Indiana, Caryl Auslander
Poll finds bipartisan support for added incentives behind state standard for clean energy zoning and permitting
INDIANAPOLIS, August 15, 2023 – A new statewide poll of likely Indiana voters found widespread support for clean energy resources and for rules that would make it easier to build clean energy in the state.
Cygnal, an international polling and public opinion firm, surveyed 800 likely voters from July 17-18, finding widespread support for renewable energy across the state. A majority of respondents supported wind (60%) and solar (70%) in the state’s energy production mix, and a majority of respondents from all regions of the state said they would be more likely to vote for candidates in 2024 who supported Indiana’s renewable energy development.
The poll also found 67% of Hoosiers, including a majority of Republicans, would favor legislation to require a uniform standard for the zoning, permitting, and location of renewable energy projects in the state, while four-fifths agreed Indiana should strive to provide consistent and clear regulations to help attract businesses and boost the economy. Over half of all respondents said they would support using state funds to create a financial incentive for local governments that voluntarily adhered to the state standard.
Topics: Press Releases, Indiana, Caryl Auslander
Indianapolis Business Journal publishes an article on the future of Indiana's electricity grid written by United's Trish Demeter and Ed Burgess from Strategen.
Much has changed since Indiana’s electric utilities last issued their plans to power Hoosier homes and businesses—fossil fuel prices, supply chains, federal policies, geopolitics and technologies, to name just a few.
These changes have opened new opportunities to offer customers lower energy prices and cleaner air. But if Indiana utilities move ahead with their current proposals that ignore these rapidly evolving market conditions, they will waste their customers’ money on 20th century strategies and technologies. Don’t Hoosiers deserve better options for an affordable, reliable and modern grid?
Four of the state’s largest electric utilities—CenterPoint, Duke Energy Indiana, Indiana Michigan Power and Northern Indiana Public Service Co.—have proposed replacing coal-fi red powerplants with natural-gas-fueled plants. It’s like upgrading from a1995 Toyota Corolla to a 2005 Toyota Corolla when, for the same price or less, you could have a Ford Mustang Mach-e. It would be irresponsible for these utilities to not reconsider their plans before breaking ground on new projects when changing market conditions make potentially cost-saving and innovative solutions available.
Topics: United In The News, Indiana, Trish Demeter
RTO Insider published a report on the savings Indiana's top three utilities could see by investing in battery storage, quoting Trish Demeter on the importance of committing to cheaper, cleaner, advanced energy technologies for Indiana residents.
Topics: United In The News, Indiana, Trish Demeter