§ 8-1-8.8-1 — Legislative findings and declaration of purpose

Indiana § 8-1-8.8-1

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 1: UTILITIES GENERALLY
• Ch. 8.8: Utility Generation and Clean Coal Technology

Text

(a) The general assembly makes the following
findings:
(1) Growth of Indiana's population and economic base has created
a need for new energy production or generating facilities in
Indiana.
(2) The development of a robust and diverse portfolio of energy
production or generating capacity, including coal gasification and
the use of renewable energy resources, is needed if Indiana is to
continue to be successful in attracting new businesses and jobs.
(3) Indiana has considerable natural resources that are currently
underutilized and could support development of new energy
production or generating facilities, including coal gasification
facilities, at an affordable price.
(4) Certain regions of the state, such as southern Indiana, could
benefit greatly from new employment opportunities created by
development of new energy production or generating facilities
utilizing the plentiful supply of coal from the geological formation
known as the Illinois Basin.
(5) Technology can be deployed that allows high sulfur coal from
the geological formation known as the Illinois Basin to be burned
or gasified efficiently while meeting strict state and federal air
quality limitations. Specifically, the state should encourage the
use of advanced clean coal technology, such as coal gasification.
(6) It is in the public interest for the state to encourage the
construction of new energy production or generating facilities that
increase the in-state capacity to provide for current and
anticipated energy demand at a competitive price.
(7) It is in the public interest for the state to encourage the study,
analysis, development, and life cycle management of nuclear
energy production or generating facilities, as well as carbon
dioxide capture, transportation, and storage facilities.
(b) The purpose of this chapter is to enhance Indiana's energy
security and reliability by ensuring all of the following:
(1) Indiana's and the region's energy production or generating
capacity continues to be adequate to provide for Indiana's current
and future energy needs, including the support of the state's
economic development efforts.
(2) The vast and underutilized coal resources of the Illinois Basin
are used as a fuel source for new energy production or generating
facilities.
(3) The electric transmission and gas transportation systems
within Indiana are upgraded to distribute additional amounts of
electricity and gas more efficiently.
(4) Jobs are created as new energy production or generating
facilities are built in regions throughout Indiana.
(5) The study, analysis, development, and life cycle management
of nuclear energy production or generating facilities are
encouraged at the same time as are new coal fired and other fossil
fuel based energy production or generating facilities.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.159-2002, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.175-2007, SEC.11; P.L.150-2011, SEC.2.