State Sen. Eric Koch To Serve As Co-Chair Of 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force For Second Year

(STATEHOUSE) – State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) was recently reappointed to serve as co-chair of the 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville).

State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford

In 2019, House Enrolled Act 1278 established the 15-member 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force to examine and evaluate aspects of Indiana’s policies concerning electric generation portfolios, develop recommendations for the General Assembly and governor, and issue a report setting forth the task force’s recommendations by December 1, 2020.

The task force will:

  • Examine Indiana’s existing policies regulating electric generation portfolios;
  • Examine how possible shifts in electric generation portfolios may impact the reliability, system resilience and affordability of electric utility service; and
  • Evaluate whether state regulators have the appropriate authority and statutory flexibility to consider the statewide impact of possible shifts in electric generation portfolios, while still protecting ratepayer interests

The task force will then develop recommendations for the General Assembly and the governor concerning the following:

  • Outcomes that must be achieved in order to overcome any identified challenges concerning Indiana’s electric generation portfolios, along with timelines for achieving those outcomes;
  • Whether existing state policy and statutes enable state regulators to properly consider the statewide impact of changing electric generation portfolios and, if not, the best approaches to enable state regulators to consider those impacts; and
  • How to maintain reliable, resilient, and affordable electric service for all electric utility consumers, while encouraging the adoption and deployment of advanced energy technologies.

The task force is made up of eight state legislators and seven experts appointed by the governor. Sen. Koch co-chairs the task force with State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso). Other lawmakers on the task force include:

  • State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis);
  • State Sen. Mark Stoops (D-Bloomington);     
  • State Sen. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend);
  • State Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Denver);
  • State Rep. Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville); and
  • State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington).


To learn more about HEA 1278 and the 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force, click here.

Sen. Koch holds a graduate certificate in Energy Policy Planning from the University of Idaho.  He serves as co-chair of the Energy Supply Task Force of the National Conference of State Legislatures and as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Council on Electricity Policy.  He focuses on energy, water and telecommunications policy interactions in Indiana and nationally.  Sen. Koch, a member of the Senate Utilities Committee, serves Senate District 44, which includes all of Lawrence and Brown Counties and parts of Bartholomew, Jackson and Monroe Counties.