INDIANAPOLIS — A group of 16 executives from Indiana's technology and finance industry urged Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday to veto a controversial bill that eliminates net metering for owners of solar panels.
The bill, which has passed both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly, awaits the governor's signature, but Holcomb has not taken action.
Environmental groups have opposed Senate Bill 309 because it would disallow net metering for anyone installing solar or wind systems after July 1, 2022.
Net metering is the system by which solar panel or wind turbine owners receive reimbursements after sending excess energy to local utilities. The process is seen as an incentive for more energy users to install solar or wind devices.
The 16 executives sent a letter claiming the bill would "impose numerous roadblocks to customer-owned renewable energy, which would seriously hamper the growth of this promising sector."
Signing the bill would signal that Indiana "is afraid of a vibrant, competitive marketplace," the executives wrote, claiming that the U.S. solar energy sector employs more than triple the number of people in the coal sector.
Those signing the letter included Don Brown, founder of Interactive Intelligence; Christopher Baggott, co-founder of ExactTarget; and Jon Gilman, CEO of Clear Software Inc. of Zionsville.