House Committee Approves Energy Efficiency Buildings Bill

Today (01/13/10) the Indiana House Environmental Affairs Committee approved HB 1063 concerning energy efficient buildings by a vote of 8 to 3. The three members of the committee voting against the bill were Rep. David Wolkins (R-Winona Lake), Rep. Jack Lutz (R-Anderson and Rep. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville). For more details on the bill and members of the committee see http://blog.indianarenew.org/2010/01/hb-1063-energy-efficient-buildings-bill.html

Since Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) has introduced a similar bill the past two sessions that passed the House, there was a brief committee hearing and public testimony. After Rep. Pierce explained the bill, Miriam Dant representing the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) testified against the bill. The remainder of the testimony was in support of the bill and included:

Donald Abel, American Institute of Architects Indiana Chapter (AIA Indiana);

Mark Flint, Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL);

Lynn Dennis, The Nature Conservancy (TNC);

Tim Maloney, Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC);

Kerwin Olson, Citizens Action Coalition (CAC); and

Glenn Pratt, Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club.

HB 1063 now moves to the floor for further action.

Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) is a member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.