A measure to put a ‘pause’ on new Indiana electricity projects is defeated — for now

A controversial measure that could have stalled electric utility efforts to move away from coal was defeated on the House floor on Thursday evening.

Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, had proposed a moratorium or “abeyance” that would have prohibited the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission from approving electricity generation projects larger than 250 megawatts for a period of 20 months.

During that time, a 15-member energy task force established by a companion amendment also authored by Soliday would issue recommendations for Indiana energy policy.

On Thursday, Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, introduced an amendment that preserved the energy task force but removed the moratorium language from the bill. His amendment passed 53-38 with bipartisan support. 

“I think you cannot pause an entire industry like this,” Pierce said on the House floor.