House panel OKs bill that would alter solar power credit

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A bill backed by Indiana's utilities that would change how much credit owners of small-scale solar installations get for the power they generate has cleared a House committee.

The House utilities committee voted 7-4 Wednesday for the measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Eric Koch of Bedford.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1LehBZW ) the vote came one day before a deadline for legislation to pass out of committees.

The bill now moves to the full House, despite opposition from environmentalists, conservative Christians, the NAACP and tea party representatives.

The measure would cut the amount power companies must pay when they buy excess electricity generated by home solar power systems. It would also allow utilities to charge solar customers a "user fee" to help cover the power grid's fixed costs.

___

Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com