1. (a) As used in this section, "electric utility" means a:

   1. (1) public, municipally owned, or cooperatively owned utility; or

   2. (2) joint agency created under IC 8-1-2.2 ;

      that owns, operates, or manages any electric generation facility in Indiana for the provision of electric utility service to Indiana customers.

2. (b) Before July 1, 2020, the commission shall conduct a comprehensive study of the statewide impacts, both in the near term and on a long term basis, of:

   1. (1) transitions in the fuel sources and other resources used to generate electricity by electric utilities; and

   2. (2) new and emerging technologies for the generation of electricity, including the potential impact of such technologies on local grids or distribution infrastructure;

      on electric generation capacity, system reliability, system resilience, and the cost of electric utility service for consumers. In conducting the study required by this subsection, the commission shall consider the likely timelines for the transitions in fuel sources and other resources described in subdivision (1) and for the implementation of new and emerging technologies described in subdivision (2).

3. (c) During the 2019 legislative interim, the commission shall provide a progress report on the commission's work in conducting the study required by subsection (b) to the interim study committee on energy, utilities, and telecommunications established by IC 2-5-1.3-4 (8).

4. (d) Not later than July 1, 2020, the commission shall issue to:

   1. (1) the governor;
   2. (2) the legislative council; and

   3. (3) the 21st century energy policy development task force established by IC 2-5-45-2 ;

      a final report containing the commission's findings and recommendations on the topics outlined in subsection (b). The report to the legislative council under this subsection must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 .

5. (e) This section expires January 2, 2021.

As added by P.L.250-2019, SEC.2.