Indiana Launches Ambitious Energy Plan

As debate over U.S. energy policy stalls on whether or not weshould drill for more oil, it's heartening to see states taking the leadon real energy solutions.

And it's not just California anymore. From Texas's multi-billion dollar wind projects to Pennsylvania's rust-belt renewal, states across the country are realizing themany benefits of developing a green economy.

The latest state to join the fray: Indiana.

In 2006, the state's governor, Mitch Daniels, released a reportcalled Accelerating Growth (PDF), calling for economic renewal through innovation. A snippet:

Accelerating Growth is intended to help revive Indiana's remarkable history of pragmatic entrepreneurship and economic dynamism. By focusing on innovation, talent, and investment -- the key themes of our plan -- we can build for the future by rediscovering the excitement of Indiana's innovative past.

That initial spark encouraged a group of Hoosiers to found theIndiana Energy Services Network (IESN). The group realized that theirstate had a number of untapped assets in the automotive, energystorage (think batteries), and power electronics sectors. Byestablishing a network of businesses, academic institutions, workforcedevelopment agencies, and other key players, IESN hopes to make theregion a research and innovation hub for a clean, green economy.

But where to start?

In June, Rocky Mountain Instituteconvened 40 people from businesses, universities, and workforcedevelopment agencies across the state to answer just thatquestion. Among the organizations represented: Delphi, Cummins, RollsRoyce, Purdue University, Notre Dame University, and Duke Energy.

With the right policies, investment, andcollaboration, the participants believe Indiana could build a fleet of plug-in hybrid electricvehicles that communicate with and provide services to thegrid. Proving this vehicle-to-grid (V2G) concept could position Indiana as a leaderin fuel-efficient transportation solutions, create jobs, andrevitalize the state's economy.

For more information, check out this report.

Image Credit::Kyle Duba