Utility bill moves to vote

 INDIANAPOLIS—A bill requiring the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to adopt new “emergency” rules for net metering electric utilities is ready for a vote in the Indiana Senate.

Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, offered one amendment to Senate Bill 313, which he sponsored.

“Any entitiy who qualifies for being a ‘net meterer,’ if you will, and then meters with the IURC and produces 10 kilowatts to 200 kilowatts would be able to rule their bill for a calendar basis,” said Merritt of his amendment’s intent, “and then at the end of the calendar basis the credits go back to the utility.”

Merritt’s amendment passed and was attached to the bill.

Sen. Sue Errington, D- Muncie, questioned the author’s amendment before submitting her own, which failed.

Further amendments were proposed by Sen. Jean Breaux, D- Indianapolis, Sen. Karen Tallian, D- Portage, and Sen. John Broden, D- South Bend. All failed.

The Senate likely will vote on SB 313 next week.