Members of the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) and Indiana Association of County Commissioners (IACC) are opposed to House Bill 1381, while leaders in nearly 60 counties in the state have filed resolutions opposed to House Bill 1381.
If passed, the bill would set statewide standards regarding the placement and operation of commercial wind farms and solar farms where local guidelines could not overstep the state law.
The Marshall County Commissioners signed a resolution in February citing opposition the House Bill as they say takes away local control. The resolution states that “decisions regarding wind and solar development are best made by the citizens living in the community rather than by wind and solar industry or state officials that live outside of the community.”
At the time, Marshall County Commission President Kevin Overmyer stated that White County Commissioner Steven Burton is against House Bill 1381 even though there are several renewable energy developments in that county. Burton stated in a press release from the Indiana Association of Indiana Counties that he is concerned that the bill “removes the voice of the local people.”
Leaders in Marshall, Fulton, St. Joseph, Jasper, White, and Cass Counties signed and filed resolutions and join 54 others in the state with the same type of resolution opposed to House Bill 1381.
While the AIC and IACC members are opposed to the House Bill, they are not opposed to renewable energy, according to a release made available Tuesday afternoon. For some rural counties, renewable energy projects have created higher tax revenue and funding for critical capital projects. House Bill 1381 recently passed the House of Representatives 58-38 and will now go to the Senate.
