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 permitted regardless of what county commissioners say.  (It does the same with solar panel farms.)

If you've ever travelled on I-65 north of Lafayette, you know what an eyesore this would be.  Would you like your county to look like that?  Would you like much of the state you live in to look like that?

Fortunately, the bill has not become law yet, but we need to shine the light on this insidious power grab.  Learn how you can help.