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Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s first role since leaving state office will be as board director for a Philadelphia-based renewable energy developer.
Doral Renewables LLC announced Holcomb’s board appointment on Thursday, less than three months after the two-term Republican governor’s tenure came to end.
After eight years in office, Holcomb passed the baton to Gov. Mike Braun in January.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the relationship-centric team at Doral Renewables,” Holcomb said in a written statement. “Doral’s world-class vision and mission are both critically important to meet the communities’ needs and provide them with economic opportunities and increased energy demand we are going to experience in the upcoming years. I look forward to strategically assisting Doral as the months and years unfold.”
Holcomb, 56, had previously resisted speculation on where he might go—or what he would do—after completing his role in state government. He and his wife, Janet, have since moved from the governor’s residence to a home just northwest of Indianapolis.
Doral Renewables describes itself as an “an independent power producer” specializing in greenfield development—meaning new construction projects on undeveloped land—of utility-scale renewable energy projects.
The company’s 14-gigawatt portfolio includes the 1.3-gigawatt Mammoth Solar complex in Indiana and the 1.2-gigawatt Vista Sands Solar project in Wisconsin. The Indiana project—which spans 13,000 acres across Starke and Pulaski counties—is expected to power roughly a quarter-million households once complete, according to company officials.
Holcomb cited the project in his 2022 State of the State address, calling it “an incredible investment and confidence in the state of Indiana and its people,” and emphasized the significant economic and environmental benefits coming to Northwest Indiana, as a result.
Holcomb, along with leaders of Indiana’s Economic Development Corp., held multiple meetings and public engagements with project executives from Doral Renewables in both Indiana and Israel. The U.S.-based developer has roots in Israel and is backed by both Israeli and U.S. investors.
“Governor Holcomb brings decades of exceptional experience in policymaking and economic development. His vision and leadership have resulted in record-breaking investments in Indiana,” said Nick Cohen, president and CEO of Doral Renewables. “His innovative mindset aligns with our farmer community, especially as we continue to enhance our agrivoltaics deployment efforts, benefiting both the national grid by diversifying energy resources and cost reduction as well as local farmers by maximizing land use and creating additional revenue streams.”
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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Well that’s…ironic.
Only the worst rise to the top in our system.
I was proud to be a Hoosier under EH’s leadership. He stayed focused on business development for the state and stood clear of getting bogged down with social issues. He will contribute positively for Doral and anywhere else he lands. Good man!
I never cared too much for Gov. Holcomb, I always thought he was a RINO/Establishment/Country Club Republican. And now he’s joining a,corporate board. He doesn’t know a thing about clean energy, or any kind of energy for that matter. I don’t believe he’s ever held a private sector job; his whole career has been spent in or around government. So why did this company want a political hanger-on like him on their board? For the same reason that Burisma Energy of Ukraine wanted Hunter Biden on their board: contacts, influence, chasing government subsidies and contracts. Not that I’m comparing Holcomb to a burned out drug addict like Hunter personally, just saying that they are both there for the same reason. Just goes to show you that both parties play the same game. Hold on to your wallets, Hoosiers, you’re about to subsidize Holcomb’s new gig.
KB M.
Please explain the last sentence. How exactly are Hoosiers about to subsidize “Holcomb’s new gig”?