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March 2005
The Alliance Wants to Hear from You!
Click here to subscribe to the State Energy Efficiency Policy Bulletin
SB 1 would require utilities to collect an energy assistance charge from each electric and gas customer beginning January 1, 2006. Customers can choose not to pay the charge. The money collected would transfer to Energy Outreach Colorado, to pay utilities on behalf of qualified individuals for low income energy assistance. Click here for more information.
HB 1133 would authorize local governments to require investor-owned electric and gas utilities to collect an energy efficiency surcharge from customers and to direct the revenue into programs that promote the installation of cost-saving measures. It would also direct the public utilities commission (PUC) to adopt rules for distributors of natural gas to engage in conservation and energy efficiency programs, and require periodic reports subject to PUC review and approval. Click here for more information.
HB 1162 would adopt statutory energy-efficiency standards for certain household appliances, commercial equipment and traffic signals sold in Colorado on or after January 1, 2008 or installed in Colorado on or after January 1, 2009. Click here for more information
Connecticut SB 1162 would require windows in public school construction projects to be highly energy efficient. Click here for more information.
Florida SB 140 would establish minimum efficiency standards for six appliances; would specify minimum efficiency levels for those standards; and would set deadlines for implementation of the standards. Click here for more information.
HB 559 would exempt certain energy efficient products from state sales and use taxes for a limited period of time. Click here for more information.
SB 998 would require the incorporation of Leadership in Energy in Environmental Design (LEED) gold standards for buildings constructed or substantially renovated with funding consisting of fifty per cent or more in state funds. Click here for more information.
SB 1427 would require governmental bodies to procure high energy efficient vehicles when purchasing motor vehicle fleets. Click here for more information.
SB 1714 would define seawater air conditioning (SWAC) as a renewable energy, would require the use of SWAC cooling in state facilities where feasible, and would require, where feasible, construction bids for state facilities to include this technology. Click here for more information.
Illinois HB 2585 would create the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Act which would provide minimum efficiency standards for nine appliances. Click here for more information.
SB 513 would create a tax holiday from the Use Tax and Retailers’ Occupation Acts for Energy Star appliances purchased from April 22 of 2006 or 2007 through April 28 of the same year and would authorize and encourage units of local government that impose use and occupation taxes to declare similar tax holidays. Click here for more information.
HB 164 would provide a sales and use tax exemption for certain EPA Energy Star appliances. Click here for more information.
HB 2240 would require each public utility to invest a certain amount of their gross operating revenue in energy conservation improvements. Click here for more information.
HB 2434 would exempt certain energy efficient electric household appliances from the state sales tax. Click here for more information.
HB 555 would exempt 100% of the sale or lease price of a new hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel-cell or hydrogen-fueled vehicle from the sales tax. It also would exempt hybrid electric vehicles and fuel-cell or hydrogen-fueled vehicles from the excise tax for the first three model years. Click here for more information.
SB 299 would issue a bond providing funds in the amount of $100 million to be used to fight global warming through energy conservation. Click here for more information.
HB 367 would reinstate an expired provision exempting qualified hybrid vehicles from emissions testing and inspection requirements. Click here for more information.
HB 490 would establish an Energy-Saving Investment Program (ESIP) administered by the Maryland Energy Administration. The measure would create an energy-saving investment fund to provide funding for energy efficiency programs and would require specified electric and gas customers to contribute to the fund through an energy-saving investment charge. Click here for more information.
HB 975 would reduce the minimum space requirements for specified buildings to be eligible for the green building tax credit from 20,000 to 10,000 square feet. The measure would make the green building tax credit refundable under specified circumstances; would allow an individual or business entity to transfer the tax credits to another individual or business entity under specified circumstances; and, would increase the maximum initial tax credit certificates that the Maryland Energy Administration would be permitted to issue. Click here for more information.
SB 366 would require the Department of the Environment and the Motor Vehicle Administration to adopt regulations by June 1, 2006 to establish a Low Emissions Vehicle program applicable to vehicles of the model year 2009 and thereafter. The measure also would require the Administration and the Department to establish motor vehicle emissions standards and compliance requirements. Click here for more information.
HB 1171 would exempt certain hybrid vehicles from the motor vehicle sales tax. Click here for more information.
HB 1243 would allow single-occupant drivers of hybrid vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Click here for more information.
HB 399 would require that the minimum efficiency standard for construction of a state building be at least as stringent as the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001, latest revision. Click here for more information.
SB 122 would require the Office of Administration to identify and deposit into its revolving trust fund no more than 2.5 percent of the total cost savings realized when the state enters into a guaranteed energy cost savings contract. Subject to appropriation, the Office of Administration may expend the cost savings deposited in the fund to offset all reasonable costs associated with the implementation of future guaranteed energy cost savings contracts. Click here for more information.
AB 516 creates new efficiency standards for the following new appliances sold, offered for sale or installed in New Jersey: commercial clothes washers, commercial refrigerators and freezers, illuminated exit signs, air-cooled very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers, torchiere lighting fixtures, traffic signal modules and unit heaters. Click here for more information
New Mexico HB 488 would appropriate $200,000 to the department of finance and administration to expand the weatherization assistance program to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy expenditures of homes occupied by low-income persons in New Mexico. Click here for more information.
House Bill 619 Passed House (60-5) 2/28/05 – companion Senate Bill 644 Passed Senate (36-0) 3/3/05 HB 619 would amend the Public Utility Act (PUA) to encourage utility investment in energy efficiency and load management programs by allowing public utilities to recover, in an expedited manner, reasonable and prudently incurred program expenses. Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 644 Withdrawn from House Taxation & Revenue Committee for Subsequent Action 3/10/05; Passed the Senate (36-0) 3/3/05 SB 644 would enact the Efficient Use of Energy Act; would provide for expenditures for energy efficiency and load management by public utilities. Click here for more information.
New York HB 1846 would amend the state energy law as it relates to lighting efficiency standards for existing public buildings by adding “elimination of wasteful artificial night lighting” to the standards. Click here for more information.
HB 1847 would expand the type of energy information compiled by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to include energy efficient and environmentally sound outdoor lighting. Click here for more information.
HB 2425 would establish a pilot program to allow for free parking, for a limited time period, on public streets for zero emission vehicles, super ultra low emission vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. Click here for more information.
HB 3227 and SB 3227 would provide a personal income tax deduction for home energy conservation expenses. Click here for more information.
HB 4021 would establish a business and consumer-based tax credit for the purchase of hybrid vehicles, and would repeal certain provisions of such law relating to qualified hybrid vehicles and the alternative fuels credit. Click here for more information.
HB 4278 would allow single-occupant drivers of hybrid vehicles to travel in high occupancy vehicle lanes. Click here for more information.
HB 4456 would establish tax credits for vehicles that meet the clean vehicle standards, and would extend the expiration of the alternative fuels credits. It also would establish tax credits and exemptions for alternative fuel vehicles and refueling property. Click here for more information.
HB 4723 would prohibit idling of heavy duty vehicles for more than five minutes. Click here for more information.
SB 190 would provide an income tax for builders and purchasers of energy-efficient homes. Click here for more information.
Pennsylvania HB 500 would require the Department of Environmental Protection to prepare a report on global warming impacts and economic opportunities; on the greenhouse gases inventory; and, a plan of action on the duties of the Department. Click here for more information.
HB 634 would exempt certain appliances that meet or exceed the applicable Energy Star efficiency requirements from sales and use taxes. Click here for more information.
SB 290 would create minimum energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and equipment. Click here for more information.
Rhode Island HB 5307 would set minimum efficiency standards for nineteen appliances. Click here for more information.
House Bill 5728 Scheduled for hearing in the Health Education & Welfare Committee 3/23/05 HB 5728 would create minimum energy efficiency standards for nine appliances. Click here for more information.
HB 209 would exempt hybrid electric vehicles and vehicles meeting the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) standards from the sales and use tax. Click here for more information.
HB 210 would direct the Commissioner of General Services to encourage the acquisition of energy efficient vehicles in the state fleet , and would require that at least 10 percent of the Department's yearly vehicle aquisitions be hybridelectric vehicles or CARB certified vehicles. Click here for more information.
HB 855 would exempt hybrid electric vehicles and alternative fueled vehicles that are registered in Tennessee from state sales and use taxes. Click here for more information.
HB 1156 would reduce the rate of the motor vehicle sales and use tax imposed on certain new hybrid motor vehicles. Click here for more information.
Vermont HB 251 would exempt alternative fueled vehicles from the purchase and use tax up- of up to $10,000, and would fund the cost of the exemption through a tax on large engine vehicles. Click here for more information.
HB 253 would establish energy efficiency standards for the retail sale of certain appliances. Click here for more information.
HB 370 would exempt hybrid vehicles from the purchase and use taxes. Click here for more information.
HB 1062 would create efficiency standards for thirteen appliances. Click here for more information. SB 5509 would require public buildings to be built using high-performance green building standards. Click here for more information.
SB 5916 would provide tax incentives for clean and alternative fuel vehicles. Click here for more information.
Click here to visit the RECA website for more information. |
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Several Steps Back: Wisconsin Cuts Energy Efficiency Funding by 40%
Energy
