Dive Brief:

• An Indiana bill would allow large industrial operations to opt out of utility energy efficiency programs, a key part of utility efficiency efforts in the state.
• The industrial customers argue that the utility programs aren't cost effective. Efficiency supporters contend that Indiana allows industrial companies to set up their own efficiency programs if they don't want to participate in utility-run efforts.
• The Indiana Senate Utilities Committee approved the bill last week.

Dive Insight:

Industrial efficiency programs typically offer the most efficiency savings so ending them hurt the overall cost effectiveness of efficiency programs in the state, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Responding to the bill, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is looking at the opt-out issue. We'll keep an eye on this bill to see if it gains traction.