Senate committee seeks energy saving contracts
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Senate Utilities and Technology Committee kicked off its first meeting of the 2009 session by hearing testimony on two bills that would govern energy saving contracts.
Senate Bill 451 extends the maximum guaranteed energy cost savings contract or utility efficiency program run to 20 years. Current law calls for maximums of 10 and 15 years.
Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, sponsored the legislation. She said the bill brings Indiana in line with the federal government and many other states. Committee member Sen. Bob Deig, D-Mt.Vernon drew upon his own experience with energy savings contracts at a local level. He said such contracts allow governments to utilize energy savings easily and supported the new proposal.
The contracts can be entered in by higher education institutions, public school corporations and local governments.
The second bill, sponsored by committee chair Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, would clarify current state law’s language about the difference between a design-build contract and a public works contract. In addition the bill attempts to clarify who can utilize an efficiency program or a guaranteed savings contract.
The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns testified in favor of both bills.
