ELECTRICITY BATTLE in INDIANA

If you like complex problems, try this one.   

 A new battle between solar energy and utility companies is really heating up in Indiana.  It won't immediately or directly effect most consumers since most of us can not afford our own solar electric system.  According to RTO, a utility watchdog organization, a rooftop system can cost $25,000.  Nevertheless, the outcome of the battle could effect how soon the cost of a rooftop system is within the reach of the average person.  I haven't had a chance to check out RTO very carefully, but they did seem to present both sides of the argument, although I would assume that by their nature - a watchdog group - they are going to tend to side with the consumer.


When discussing such issues; viz. where old established industries are complaining that they may go out of business if the new technology, etc., is permitted to exist; I like to point out how carriage makers at the beginning of the 20th century ranted and raged at the new automobile industry. The carriage companies may have gone out of business but those they employed applied their skills to the new technology, and most of us would agree that we are glad that the automobile wasn't legislated out of existence. What would have happened had the government stepped in and protected the carriage industry from those horrible liberal automobile people?  Would you still have a small barn in the backyard for the family horse and carriage?  (see another interesting example at the bottom.)

I'm not, at this point, taking sides on Indiana House Bill 1320 - 2015. (Be sure to look up the 2015 version. I don't know why it has the same number as a 2013 bill.)  I'm obviously in favor of more solar energy.  I'd love to be able to afford a rooftop unit. But, after reading several articles about the battle, I have to admit to feeling sorry for the legislators.  An oversimplification - the solar consumer is saying that the bill will kill the solar energy industry and/or greatly delay its availability to the average family. The utility company's most legitimate argument is that, under current law, they are sometimes paying more to solar consumers than it costs to purchase the same amount of power in the marketplace. Currently the utilities must buy any power the consumer generates and does not use.

From what I am picking up on the internet - which, as we all know, isn't always correct - is that the same issue is arising in West Virginia and Wisconsin.

In any case, here is an opportunity to be proactive in the quest to balance our comforts and our stewardship of the environment. Please check out this website -  http://www.rtoinsider.com/indiana-net-metering-12643/  Then check out both sides in this argument.  It may not effect most of us right now, but it is an issue that indirectly effect all of us and will definitely have a long-term environmental impact.  Read. Study. Contemplate. And then let your legislator know what you think.

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An interesting antidote when talking about industrial conflict.  There was actually a flying car that was first built in 1946 and finally registered with the CAA in 1956.  Problem was if it met all the standards of the automobile, it didn't meet the airplane standards, and vise versa. Maybe we shouldn't try to legislate and regulate everything.

The Taylor Aerocar in the Seattle Museum of flight