Don’t cut energy efficiency program

The board of directors of Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light opposes SB 340 out of a concern for good stewardship of the Earth and its finite resources. H-IPL is a growing statewide faith-based organization inspired by the call of our many faith traditions to care for and safeguard the Earth.

Speaking from many faith traditions, we share scriptural principles of fairness and justice and believe that large electric customers should do their fair share to contribute toward the state’s energy efficiency programs. Senate Bill 340 would let the very largest industrial users get special treatment by allowing them to withdraw from the Demand Side Management program and would allow the rich to take advantage of the cost savings of efficiency programs paid for by home owners, small businesses and non-profits.

The Energizing Indiana programs have been very successful and have saved enough energy to power all the homes in Evansville for a year. Many of our congregations have been able to, as a part of their own social justice and “care for creation” programs, promote energy efficiencies through the Energizing Indiana program.

An independent evaluation of the program’s first year concluded that for every dollar spent on “demand side management” programs, Indiana’s utility consumers achieved two dollars of cost savings. Energy efficiency programs create jobs, save customers money on their utility bills, and avoid the need to build large expensive power plants.

We are called by our Creator to do all we can to care for creation and to speak out for justice. We believe that SB340 would jeopardize the Energizing Indiana program that helps our state conserve valuable resources.

Rev. Dr. Lyle McKee

chair

Madeline Hirschland

vice chair

Jack Hill

secretary

Rev. T. Wyatt Watkins

Ray Wilson, P.E.

Rev. Michael Bowling

Rev. Dr. Anne Byfield

Rev. Dennis Shock

Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light Board