Issue Position: Energy and Environment

Issue Position

As Indiana fights in these tough economic times to attract and retain jobs for Hoosier workers, it's imperative we use every tool possible to give us a competitive advantage over neighboring states. Indiana has great potential in the clean energy sector. While jobs in our overall economy declined by 1% between 1998 and 2007, clean energy jobs grew by nearly 18% in the same period. These jobs are production positions that support wind, biomass and solar systems, as well as jobs that capitalize on the strengths of existing Hoosier manufacturing businesses and workers to produce renewable energy components. Additional jobs would be created for the construction, service, support and sales of these same energy technologies. With the right incentives and policy, green jobs and technology can revitalize Indiana's manufacturing sector, further energy independence nationally, and improve the quality of our lives and environment. That's why I am a leading Senate proponent of legislation designed to create new jobs and investments in our state's burgeoning clean energy economy.

* Promoting energy efficient building standards, beginning with energy and environmental design ratings for new and retrofitted public buildings
* Reducing Indiana's reliance on coal by setting renewable portfolio standards for Indiana's utilities that require 20% of total electricity be supplied from renewable energy resources and energy efficiency by 2021.
* Upgrading and expanding Indiana's net metering policy for consumers to generate their own energy through renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar cells.
* Providing assistance to local and regional authorities to develop mass transportation and other transportation alternatives
* Incenting the development, manufacture and use of hybrid automobiles

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