If we want to build a stronger, more secure future for Indiana residents, we need to diversify and modernize our energy system.
Many conservative states have learned limiting energy sources doesn’t make sense. Wind accounted for around 59% of electricity generation in Iowa in 2023 and renewable energy accounts for around 30% of electricity generation in Texas.
The cost of electricity is lower in those states than in Indiana, where only 16.1% of utility-scale net electricity generation in Indiana is renewable.
Companies looking to expand or relocate also increasingly demand clean, affordable energy access. If we can’t supply the resources for that demand, those businesses will choose a state that can supply such energy, like Illinois or Michigan.
Including more choices of energy sources is not just a solid strategy — it’s common sense.
Across Indiana, renewable projects are already lowering consumer costs, attracting new businesses and creating jobs.
As with all newer technologies, the cost of renewable energy production continues to fall. Economies of scale, automation and the use of more efficient materials in both wind and solar manufacturing continue to lower the cost of production.
Building renewable energy, though, is not about replacing other forms of energy. It is about building a balanced, diversified portfolio that ensures Indiana families and businesses can depend on affordable, reliable power for decades to come.
Just as no savvy investor puts all their money into a single stock, no wise state puts all its energy bets into a small number of sources.
With that, we must determine the proper balance between individual property rights and community development. A cornerstone of both our democracy and our economy is that an individual owns his or her land and may develop it as they desire, so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others.
A personal bias against renewables does not constitute infringement, yet many counties have passed severe restrictions against renewable energy development.
Our state is better when we embrace innovation while staying true to our values. We must commit to building a grid capable of meeting today’s demands that is ready for tomorrow’s opportunities.
That means modernizing infrastructure, supporting innovation and scaling up our energy development through renewables.
Greg Ballard, a Republican, is the former mayor of Indianapolis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Renewable energy lowered costs elsewhere. Why not Indiana? | Letters
Reporting by Greg Ballard / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
