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What Does HB 1381 Do?

First of all, you can read the text of the bill  here . Indiana has a policy of  home rule  that grants counties, cites, and towns "all the powers that they need for the effective operation of government as to local affairs." (IC 36-1-3-2)  For example, if a company wants to build hundreds of towering, noisy wind turbines in your community, they have to get permission from your county commissioners first. In recent years, wind companies have tried to do exactly that in many counties across Indiana.  In a few places they've succeeded (such as Benton and White counties), but in most they have failed, as local officials have rejected those plans after being presented all the facts about how wind power is  not all it's cracked up to be . So the wind companies are doing an end-around, quietly hoping you don't notice.  HB 1381 would remove the home rule that prevents the Indiana landscape from being cluttered with  thousands  of wind turbines.  They would be permi

What is the Status of the Bill?

 Updated April 13, 2021 at 11:00 pm: Current Status HB 1381  was voted out of House on February 17th by a vote of 58 to 38.  To see how your representative voted, see the roll call here . The bill was amended by the Senate Utilities committee to grandfather in counties with restrictive wind and solar ordinances on April 1st.  It was then approved by a vote of 9 to 2.  You can watch archived video of the hearing here .  (Click April 1, 2021 and then "Watch Archived Video.") It was then recommitted to the Senate Tax & Fiscal committee.  It was the first any challenging questions were asked of the proponents of the bill.  Nonetheless, it was approved 10 votes to 3.  You can watch archived video of that hearing here .  (Click April 6, 2021 and then "Watch Archived Video.") Tuesday, April 13th was the deadline for house bills to pass the senate.  The senate sponsor initially "passed" when it was HB 1381's turn on the agenda, presumably because he didn&#

How Can I Help?

Most people don't follow the day-to-day actions of the legislature.  Why should you?  You have more important things to do.  That is exactly what the wind and solar companies are counting on.  There are a few simple things you can do, though, to keep this bill from becoming law: 1.  Let both your state representative and state senator know you are opposed to HB 1381 To see who represents you in the general assembly, visit  this site . Call the numbers provided and ask for the legislator's office .  The House Republican switchboard is (800) 382-9841, the House Democrat switchboard is (800) 382-9842, and the switchboard for all senators is (800)-382-9467. Be polite and simply ask that the legislator vote against HB 1381. If you would rather send an e-mail, find their contact info here . 2.  Let the governor know you are opposed to HB 1381 In the event the bill passes both the House and the Senate, Gov. Holcomb could prevent it from becoming law by vetoing i

Legislator Directory

Legislators are not royalty.  They have jobs and families just like all of us.  They may not realize why this bill is a bad idea.  There's no need to be confrontational or angry when you contact them.  Just respectfully ask that they vote against House Bill 1381.  Add whatever words you want to express that you don't want wind or solar farms in your community and you don't want the state to take away the authority of local officials to prevent them. Please contact the legislators for your area. If you're not sure who that is, click  here .  Below the Republican representatives are shown in red , Democrats in blue . Senators  / switchboard for all senators is  (800) 382-9467 Ron Alting -  s22@iga.in.gov Scott Baldwin -  s20@iga.in.gov Eric Bassler -  s39@iga.in.gov Vaneta Becker -  s50@iga.in.gov Mike Bohacek -  s8@iga.in.gov Philip Boots -  s23@iga.in.gov Rodric Bray (President Pro Tempore) -  s37@iga.in.gov Jean Breaux  -  s34@iga.in.gov Liz Brown -  s15@iga.in.gov Bri

Wind and Solar Power: Not What It's Cracked Up to Be

It's not so much about protecting the environment and being efficient; it's about money for big companies and controlling what goes on in your back yard. W ind and solar are simply not practical or cost-efficient ways to generate power.  Electricity has to be used at the same time it's produced.  Obviously the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine.  As a result, wind and solar must be augmented by other power sources, typically from fossil fuels, and so carbon emissions are not significantly reduced. Nonetheless, because of the perception that wind and solar are environmentally friendly, government subsidies (i.e., your money) have made establishing these power sources profitable in the short term for energy companies.  However, in the long term the costs outweigh the benefits, and the energy companies leave town and you are left holding the bag. Both wind and solar farms reduce property values.  Land owners where the installations are placed do