Dear legislator,

The rules for building renewable energy projects in Indiana aren’t working. As your constituent, I’m asking you to do something about it in 2027. I want you to find a solution that:

• Prevents hardworking Hoosiers from having their property rights stripped away by local governments and vocal crowds. If a landowner desires to lease their land to an energy project such as solar, battery storage, or wind without harming their neighbors, they should be allowed to do so. Solar and wind leases provide an average of 3x the revenue per acre as farming, and these leases provided landowners with $907 million in 2024. But right now, more than ⅓ of counties have essentially banned their landowners from profiting from these opportunities like 1 mile setbacks or multimillion dollar application fees. Please establish baseline rules that allow landowners to use their property as they see fit while honoring their neighbors' rights and the county's voice.
• Enables local governments to secure strong community benefits from renewable energy projects sited in their county. County governments are best positioned to negotiate with energy developers that come into their county. This revenue can be a major opportunity for rural counties to sustain funding for their schools, roads, and government services without changing the county’s rural character. The Purdue Center for Regional Development found that the average solar project adds $1 million per year to the county budget, and that solar projects in just eight counties would provide $224 million in local tax revenue over the next 30 years. Please find a solution that retains the local government’s right to negotiate with businesses entering their community, and ensures that renewable energy projects fulfill their promise to invest in that community. 
• Allows Indiana to build the power generation it needs. Indiana’s electricity usage is projected to double by 2031, and our grid isn’t ready to supply that power without new power plants. 85% of the power capacity waiting to be built comes from solar, wind, and battery projects. Renewables are the fastest energy generation sources to build, and good research has shown they are the best way to drive down your electricity bill. But dozens of projects are delayed or cancelled every year due to inconsistent county rules and regulations that can constantly change. Please find a solution that allows us to build the power we need to keep electricity affordable, reliable, and available in Indiana. 

Your constituent,