IBJ: Large Indiana cities and employers ask Duke, AES for more clean energy options

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A trade group that promotes clean energy, the cities of Indianapolis and Bloomington, and several of the state’s largest employers on Thursday issued a formal request to the state’s two largest utilities, asking them to offer more options to large energy customers to receive their electricity from renewable energy.

The Indiana Advanced Energy Economy, part of the national trade group AEE, made the request to utilities Duke Energy Indiana and AES Indiana (formerly Indianapolis Power & Light) in a public letter co-signed by Coca-Cola, Walmart, Salesforce, Cummins Inc., Rivian and Roche. The letter also was sent to members of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

The letter asks the utilities to begin designing and participating in so-called “green tariff,” program that would allow the companies to purchase electricity from cleaner power sources.

“As major employers and large electricity consumers in Indiana, we write in support of our utilities offering options by which we can source our electricity from renewable resources,” the letter said. “Participating in such an offering, often referred to as a ‘green tariff,’ would allow us to increase our use of renewable energy, and to express our support for increased and diversified renewable energy supplies in Indiana.”

Morgan Mickelson, director of sustainability for Indianapolis, said the city would like to see such programs offered in Indiana.

“We’re striving towards creating healthier and more resilient communities with Thrive Indianapolis, our sustainability and resilience action plan, and using more renewable energy is a key part of our long-term sustainability goals,” Mickelson said in written remarks. “The city of Indianapolis is interested in more clean energy choices that not only improve the quality of life for our communities, but also spurs the investments needed to lower energy costs long-term for our city.”