Ricky Junquera, 617.599.7048, ricky.junquera@sierraclub.org
INDIANAPOLIS – The Sierra Club launched a radio advertising campaign this week highlighting how Senate Bill 309, pending in the Indiana House, gives monopoly utilities control of solar power across Indiana. The Indiana House of Representatives will vote on the bill as early as Tuesday.
SB 309 would phase out net metering, the current practice of giving solar owners full credit for any excess energy put back into the grid. Families and businesses invest in solar panels on their roofs and the unused energy they produce is sent into the electric system. Solar owners now receive full credit for any extra energy that powers their neighbors. This bill would reduce credits over time to make the option uneconomic for families and businesses who want to go solar.
The radio ad campaign is running in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.
The full audio of the radio ad can be found here.
“Indiana’s monopoly utilities are trying to kill solar power just as it’s becoming an affordable choice for many Hoosier families, churches and businesses,” said Jodi Perras, manager of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign in Indiana. “This radio ad encourages Hoosiers to tell lawmakers to vote no on Senate Bill 309 and stand up for energy freedom and choice.”
RADIO AD SCRIPT
“Solar power is at a crossroads in Indiana.
“Senate Bill 309 would put control of rooftop solar in the hands of monopoly utilities, instead of freeing up the market for energy choice and the freedom to generate your own electricity.
“Just as solar power is becoming more affordable for everyone, Senate Bill 309 would take away that choice from thousands of Hoosier families, schools, churches, farms and small businesses.
“Conservatives and progressives disagree on a lot, but both want a future with clean air, clean water and true energy independence. The right to solar energy is not a partisan issue – it’s an American one.
“We owe our children and grandchildren a clean environment that’s built with a 21st century economy and technology like solar power.
“Tell the Indiana House to say yes to solar power, and no to Senate Bill 309.”