Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Energy Efficiency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances measure to study energy audits for state buildings
Summary
The Indiana Senate Environmental Affairs Committee unanimously advanced Senate Bill 310, a ‘May’ provision requesting the Department of Administration to conduct or coordinate energy audits of state facilities to identify potential efficiency and cost savings.
Senate Bill 310, a May provision authorizing an energy-audit initiative for state buildings including the Capitol, advanced out of the Indiana Senate Environmental Affairs Committee by a 10-0 vote.
Senator Andy Zay, sponsor of the measure, said the provision is intended to prompt the Indiana Department of Administration to pursue an organized energy-audit program across state properties. "Are we doing all we can, as far as energy efficiency and lighting, heating, cooling?" Zay asked, saying an audit would help the state act as a leader on energy stewardship and reduce taxpayer costs.
Testimony in support came from several advocacy groups. Corinne Olsson of Citizens Action Coalition said energy efficiency is "absolutely the first fuel" and urged action because efficiency reduces both budget pressures and emissions. Sam Carpenter of Hoosier Environmental Council testified energy audits are the necessary first step to find cost-saving measures and cited national Energy Star program metrics as evidence of savings potential. Shannon Anderson of Earth Charter Indiana told the committee a statewide audit would help Indiana improve on regional energy-efficiency rankings.
Committee discussion emphasized the bill’s status as a May provision (a non-binding request) and Zay confirmed the provision is intended to start a conversation with the Department of Administration rather than to appropriate funds. The bill’s backers said audits could inform future appropriations and implementation projects but the measure itself does not authorize new spending.
Action: Committee members moved and seconded the bill; roll call recorded (Jackson: Aye; Nesgotsky: Aye; Taylor: Yes; Zay: Yes; Baldwin: Aye; Bassler: Aye; Buck: Aye; Dornell: Excused; Carrasco: Aye; Bush: Aye; Niemeyer: Yes). The clerk recorded: "Bill passes ten-zero." The committee approved the measure to encourage state-level energy audits and efficiency planning.
Next steps requested by the committee included that the Department of Administration report back on existing benchmarking and any planned energy audits, and that sponsors coordinate with the Appropriations and budget committees before pursuing funding for implementation.
