Energy jobs in Elkhart area's future?

By Marilyn Odendahl, Truth Staff

modendahl@etruth.com

WAKARUSA -- In a town hit hard by the downturn in the recreational vehicle industry, State Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart, outlined a three-point plan to develop alternative and domestic energy resources that she said could bring jobs to northern Indiana.

Walorski promoted her initiatives during a press conference Wednesday morning at Horizon Transport, a company that drives RVs from local manufacturers to dealers across the country.

With gasoline under $2 gallon, Indiana is getting a reprieve, she said, and Hoosiers must use this time to come together, develop a renewable energy plan and launch it.

"Let's move forward and do something about this," Walorski said. Let's "take our future in our hands and not leave it to the government and not end up on a bailout list someplace."

The major components of her plan are:

* giving tax credits for homeowners and businesses that use alternative energy sources.

* holding newly elected officials to their commitment to expand offshore oil drilling.

* building more coal gasification plants in Indiana.

Those at the conference welcomed the idea of government assistance for installing renewable energy devices.

Already the RV industry is tending toward green products by making units from renewable materials, said Mark Bowersox, director of the Indiana Recreation Vehicle Council. However, tax credits could "help spur innovation" RV companies to use alternative energy sources during the manufacturing process.

In Wa-Nee schools, energy conservation measures have been implemented but the district is still getting squeezed, said Joe Sabo, superintendent. Fuel costs have forced the school system to consolidate bus routes and eliminate another route.

Although the district would have to do more investigation into the costs before purchasing wind turbines or solar panels, Sabo said he was motivated by Walorski's presentation to find out what grants for such projects are available.

In the upcoming session of the Indiana General Assembly, Walorski said she is going to propose legislation that would provide homeowners with up to $2,500 in tax credits if they install a wind turbine or solar panels. Businesses that invest in renewable energy would be eligible for a tax credit worth up to 10 percent of the investment. Also, tax incentives would be used to lure green companies that produce things like wind turbines to Indiana.

"We are the manufacturing hub," she said of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. The local region can make components for renewable energy devices because it has "massive amounts" of manufacturing space available and a "work force that is trained and willing to be re-trained" in these new technologies.