Leading by Example
Our State of Indiana is a hotbed of renewable energy development activity – a fact that is undeniable.
Local solar and wind projects are making life better in our rural communities. Renewables deliver more than energy; they pack a powerful economic punch. The revenue and economic activity that flows from renewables helps our children and grandchildren have better schools to attend, provides the newest state of the art equipment to first responders and even fixes those nerve-rattling potholes.
As the year comes to an end, I began to reflect upon the state of renewable energy in Indiana as I take over as Executive Director of Hoosiers for Renewables. We have all heard of Governor Holcomb's participation at the recent U.N. Climate Change Conference in Egypt, where he met with government officials, foreign dignitaries, and business leaders, pitching Indiana as a state poised for green energy growth. According to the American Clean Power Association, Indiana ranks third among states in terms of solar power in development, with more than 6,000 megawatts set to come online – enough to power more than one million homes. It’s an exciting time to - support the growth, and even help lead, this industry forward.
All this is well and good, but what does all of this interest mean for you? What does it mean for the millions of Hoosiers?
Here are some numbers:
$4 million from renewable energy projects in Randolph County have provided a border-to-border broadband service.
Between 2008 and 2018, taxes in Benton County's renewable projects have allowed the county to give $3 million to local schools, infused more tax revenue dedicated to medical services and have contributed over $35 million investment in their county road network.
In White County, funds from their wind projects established a White County Wind Farm Economic Development Fund. With this, local officials created a $3 million incentive package to attract a new buyer and saved the Indiana Beach, an Indiana and White County family entertainment icon, from closing its doors and avoiding a devastating economic impact to the community.
In Porter County’s Valparaiso, where Ivy Tech Community College houses, a natural gas and electric energy technician program and a new renewable energy technician programs are taking flight.
In Shelby County, Speedway Solar is expected to generate an estimated $15.7 million in tax revenue over the life of the project, according to Ranger Power*
Project Bellflower Solaris is expected to generate $30 million in property tax revenue to Rush and Henry Counties over its life, benefitting local schools and other community public services. Its operations budget of $2.4 million each year will be primarily spent in the region, creating additional economic impact.
The Elkhart County Solar Farm will generate over $22 million in local taxes over the 35-year project life.
LaGrange County, through its future Cherry Hill Project, is projecting a contribution of up to $9 million over its lifetime to local schools, $5 million in local taxes and $500,000 to local fire departments.
And these are all just the very beginnings of renewable energy progress. We can’t even fully see the immense scope of projects and economic impact that are just getting started!
The economic miracle of renewables is one reason there is broad support across Indiana. 71% percent of Hoosiers we surveyed support local solar energy projects. And if you look at every major business or government association meeting in the last year – Association of Indiana County Commissioners, Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana Economic Development Association, Indiana Manufacturers Association, Electrify Indiana, Indiana Industrial Energy Consumers – they have all recognized and addressed the need to elevate the "where from's," 'what for's," and the "how to's" in preparing and/or managing our changing energy footprint. At the same time, our state legislature has recognized the need to prepare for this energy generation shift by continuing the 21st Century Energy Taskforce for its third year.
We have much work ahead of us, but I am committed to the task ahead. Hoosiers for Renewables remains committed to our mission of educating and promoting wind, solar, battery storage developments and more. The state of renewable energy in Indiana is strong. I hope you will continue to fight with us for this critical industry. *An earlier version of this post portrayed that the tax revenue was currently being generated. It has been updated to reflect that the tax payments will occur over the life of the project.
