April 2006
Newsletter Contents:
Guest Highlight
Lisa Jacobson of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy explains how the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will promote energy efficiency in the Northeast.
Alliance to Save Energy Column
Kara Rinaldi, Director of Policy at the Alliance, explains how consumers in Maryland would benefit from proposed energy efficiency requirements.
State Updates
Legislative updates from
Arizona,
California,
Colorado,
Connecticut,
Florida,
Georgia,
Hawaii,
Illinois,
Indiana,
Iowa,
Kansas,
Maine,
Maryland,
Massachusetts,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Mississippi,
Missouri,
New Jersey,
New York,
Oklahoma,
Rhode Island,
South Carolina,
Tennessee,
Utah,
Vermont,
Virginia,
Washington State, and
Wisconsin.
RECA Report
Get the latest on the work of the Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA).
Expanding Energy Efficiency under RGGI
By Lisa Jacobson,
Executive Director, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
 In December 2005, seven Northeastern states signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) laying the foundation for the first mandatory carbon cap-and-trade program in the United States.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cooperative effort by nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) has been working for over two years to design a cap-and-trade program for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants in the region (Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, DC are observers to the process). Reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2 is a priority for the citizens and government leaders in the RGGI states. In addition to setting a strong precedent for a national regulatory program, RGGI may be extended to include other states and other sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the future.
A key indicator of RGGI’s success will be its ability to cost-effectively reduce carbon emissions and serve as a driver for clean and efficient power generation in the Northeast. Recognizing and rewarding energy-efficiency investments through the cap-and-trade program will help accomplish this goal.
The MOU signed last December by the Governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont provided the broad framework of the cap-and-trade program and included incentives for energy-efficiency investments. As outlined in the MOU, the RGGI cap-and-trade program is set to be fully implemented in each participating state in early 2009. There will be a two-phase cap, first to stabilize carbon emissions through 2015; then reduce carbon emissions by 10 percent by 2019.
Key issues for energy-efficiency industries under RGGI include:
- How emission allowances are allocated to covered sources under the cap-and-trade program – will they be drivers for energy efficiency?
- Will energy-efficiency investments qualify for emissions allowances or financial mechanisms under the cap-and-trade program?
- Will RGGI’s carbon offset program recognize energy efficiency and establish efficient project approval criteria?
- Will RGGI be a driver to remove regulatory or market barriers to energy-efficiency investments in the region?
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy is a coalition of energy efficiency, renewable energy and natural gas industry leaders. Its mission is to advocate for energy and environmental policies that promote markets for clean, efficient and sustainable energy products and services. Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan serves on the Council’s Board of Directors.
The Council has been actively lobbying RGGI states to ensure that clean generation and energy efficiency are incorporated into RGGI’s cap-and-trade program. A draft model rule for the RGGI cap-and-trade program was released in March 2006. It would grant participating states the authority to decide how RGGI will address energy efficiency. Specifically, RGGI states need to know how to direct the price signals and financial mechanisms created by the cap-and-trade program to increase supply-side and demand-side energy efficiency.
The Council is currently developing recommendations for RGGI states on how to drive energy efficiency through its trading program. With a launch date expected in early 2009, states will likely make decisions on provisions impacting energy efficiency over the next six to 12 months.
The time is now to demonstrate how energy efficiency can reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy reliability, reduce energy demand and drive local economic development.
Contact Lisa Jacobson to join the Council’s RGGI outreach effort.
Additional information and the Council’s comments on RGGI’s draft model rule are available at the RGGI wesite.
Energy Efficiency Requirements Would Help Consumers Facing Maryland Price Spikes
By Kara Saul Rinaldi,
Director of Policy, Alliance to Save Energy
 The last two months have posed a tough challenge for Maryland lawmakers and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE). The state government and utility have been in tight negotiations aimed at averting a 72 percent rate increase in electricity prices. The 1.2 million BGE residential customers who could potentially see their bills rise by an average of $743 a year in the coming months are anxiously waiting for the Maryland legislature and the local utility to strike a deal to save their wallets.
As the tension mounted, the Alliance to Save Energy, along with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and others, supported legislation that could temper the bite of the rate increases and help Maryland consumers save energy, and reduce their utility bills. The bill, SB 1104, calls for the procurement of energy efficiency measures as well as electricity for Standard Offer Service electric customers in Maryland. (Standard Offer Service is electricity service that is available to consumers who choose not to select an electricity supplier. While SOS rates were capped in Maryland as of 2004, they now are set at prices that fluctuate with changes in the market.) Maryland utilities already request bids each year for power (with at least 50% of the load purchased in one-year contracts). SB1104 would encourage utilities to shave off 1% of that load with efficiency.
SB 1104 calls for efficiency to be procured concurrently with electricity to allow for a head-to-head comparison of costs, and to help lower the cost of Standard Offer Service for consumers. By soliciting bids for efficiency at the same time as bids for electricity, the public can be assured of a direct comparison. As the winning bidders implement efficiency measures, SOS purchases will be lower and SOS customers will save money.
Consumers around the country are facing price increases. Rising consumption of electricity and natural gas are straining generation and transmission capacity while natural gas supplies are dwindling and prices are rising. Energy-efficiency investments are the cheapest, fastest, and cleanest way to respond to these challenges. Other states are also considering energy-efficiency requirements. Efficiency investments save consumers money, increase consumer comfort, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance economic competitiveness, as well as promote energy reliability and security.
Over the last two decades, utility demand-side management (DSM) programs nationwide have avoided the need for about one hundred 300-Megawatt (MW) power plants. However, utility spending on DSM programs was cut as the electricity industry was partially deregulated. SB1104 proposes a market-based approach for procuring energy efficiency when it is cheaper than purchasing electricity. It would use efficiency to lower the cost of serving Maryland’s electricity consumers, but will ensure that efficiency is only procured when it is cost-effective.
There is substantial experience around the country with performance-based procurement of energy-efficiency measures. Many states purchase electricity efficiency as a resource acquisition strategy. California policy establishes efficiency as the preferred resource, followed by electricity from renewable sources and then electricity from traditional sources. In Texas, utilities are required each year to request proposals for efficiency under standard offer service, similar to the structure under this bill. The Texas utilities have a history of not only meeting their annual energy-efficiency targets, but exceeding them. Many states and the federal government also use performance contracting for energy efficiency to reduce energy use in government buildings. A number of the Alliance Associate members use performance contracting as a principal vehicle for delivering their energy-efficiency products and services.
SB1104 presented minimal risk to the utility industry but substantial gain to Maryland consumers —if there are no cost-effective bids for energy efficiency, then the utilities would not be required to accept them. Energy efficiency measures would have helped to save energy, and the reduced electricity demand could result in lower prices for everyone.
Unfortunately, SB1104 was not enacted before adjournment, although a special session to deal with electric rate matters remains a possibility. Although the Maryland legislature initially passed on this opportunity, the Alliance hopes they will act soon to provide for energy-efficiency assistance to Maryland consumers who may still face crippling price spikes.
 
Arizona
House Bill 2430
Passed Senate 4/11/06, Sent to Governor 4/12/06
HB 2430 would extend the maximum payback period of an energy performance contract for all schools and state projects from 10 years to 25 years.
House Bill 2843
Passed House 3/13/06, Passed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Rural Affairs, Referred to Senate Committee on Rules and Senate Committee on Finance 3/16/06
HB 2843 would provide for income tax credits of up to $150 for residential consumers who purchase energy-efficient products including central air conditioners, air source heat pumps, clothes washers, and ceiling fans. Total tax credits issued by the state could not exceed $7.5 million.
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California
House Bill 2021
Passed as amended by House Committee on Utilities and Commerce 4/4/06, Assigned to House Committee on Natural Resources 4/6/06
HB 2021 would require the California Energy Commission to identify all potential cost-effective electric and natural gas efficiency and demand reduction projects for the state by July 1, 2007, and every 3 years after. Identified energy savings measures would be implemented as first measures in meeting new or unmet energy demands.
House Bill 2878
Re-referred to House Committee on Business and Professions 4/4/06
HB 2878 would require the California Integrated Waste Management Board to develop green-building standards, and would require all state buildings constructed or renovated after January 1, 2009 to conform to those new standards.
House Bill 2924
Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources and House Committee on Revenue and Taxation 3/30/06
HB 2924 would provide loan guarantees, low-interest loans and/or create personal and corporate tax credits for any project which reduces greenhouse gas emissions in the state, including energy efficiency projects. Recipients of loans or tax credits would be required to register with the California Climate Action Registry.
Senate Bill 1250
Passed by Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications, Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations 4/4/06
SB 1250 would allow the California Public Utilties Commission to use energy-efficiency funds to create incentives for the purchase of energy-efficient refrigerators.
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Colorado
House Bill 1147
Passed House 2/22/06, Assigned to Senate Committee on Appropriations 3/23/06
HB 1147 would direct distributors of natural gas to develop and implement cost-effective energy-efficiency programs once the public utilities commission adopts rules to establish funding and cost-recovery mechanisms for those programs.
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Connecticut
House Bill 5261
Passed by House Committee on Government Administration and Elections 4/11/06, Referred to House Committee on Appropriations 4/13/06
HB 5261 would establish financing guidelines for an account held by the Energy Conservation Management Board. This account would provide funding for gas companies to implement energy efficiency and conservation programs.
House Bill 5523
Referred to Senate Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding 3/28/06
HB 5523 would require any new facility costing at least $1 million, or any renovation costing at least $500,000 that is constructed with at least 25 percent state funds, to adopt building construction standards that are consistent with or exceed LEED’s silver building rating, or an equivalent standard such as a two-globe rating in the Green Globes USA design program.
Furthermore, minimum energy efficiency standards would be set for eight new products. It also would require government agencies to procure products that meet the federal Energy Star standards.
Senate Bill 191
Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations 4/11/06
SB 191 would require any new facility costing at least $1 million or any renovation costing at least $500,000 that is constructed with at least 25 percent state funds, to adopt building construction standards that are consistent with or exceed LEED’s silver building rating, or an equivalent standard such as a two-globe rating in the Green Globes USA design program.
Senate Bill 470
Referred to Senate Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding 4/11/06
SB 470 would allow municipalities to abate or waive property taxes on hybrid automobiles.
Senate Bill 570
Referred to Senate Committee on Planning and Development 4/5/06
SB 570 would provide incentives -- in the form of Class II renewable energy credits -- for energy conservation projects.
Senate Bill 660
Referred to Senate Committee on Transportation 4/13/06
SB 660 would impose a sales tax on motor vehicles in proportion to the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted. The bill also would permanently exempt specified hydrid vehicles from this sales tax.
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Florida
House Bill 597
Passed by House Committee on Water and Natural Resources, Referred to House Fiscal Council 3/15/06
HB 597 would provide for inclusion of water and wastewater efficiency and conservation measures in guaranteed performance savings contracts entered into by state agencies, municipalities, or political subdivisions.
(Senate Bill 278 is the companion bill)
House Bill 1473
Passed by House Committee on Utilities and Telecommunications 4/5/06, Referred to House Fiscal Council 4/13/06
HB 1473 would create a sales tax holiday on specified Energy Star products with a maximum individual price of $1500. “Energy-Efficiency Week” would occur from October 5 to October 11 in each year from 2006 to 2009.
Senate Bill 2332
Favorable report from Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation 4/18/06
SB 2332 would provide a tax exemption on electricity sold to manufacturers if the tax saved is invested into energy efficiency projects.
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Georgia
House Bill 1219
Passed both Houses 3/23/06, Sent to Governor 4/6/06
HB 1219 would create a one-time sales tax holiday on specified Energy Star products with a maximum individual price of $1500 from August 3 to August 6, 2006.
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Hawaii
House Bill 2175
Passed House 3/7/06, Passed Senate and Returned Amended to House 4/11/06
HB 2175 would require development-related permit agencies to prioritize permits for projects that meet or exceed LEED building standards, and would require all new construction or renovation of state buildings to meet or exceed a LEED silver building rating.
The bill also would require state agencies to purchase vehicles with the highest fuel efficiency rating.
It also would authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds, the revenue of which would be used to bring all state facilities into compliance with previously established greenhouse gas and energy consumption reduction goals.
(Senate Bill 2957 is the companion bill)
House Bill 3222
Passed House 3/7/06, Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means 3/24/06
HB 3222 would require electric utility companies to meet a state energy-efficiency portfolio standard of 10 percent by 2015, 15 percent by 2020, and 20 percent by 2025.
Senate Bill 2125
Passed Senate 3/7/06, Referred to House Committee on Finance 3/24/06
SB 2125 would provide a tax credit of $50 for the purchase of Energy Star-labeled products with a retail price of at least $300.
Senate Bill 2488
Passed Senate 3/7/06, Referred to House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, and House Committee on Finance 3/9/06
SB 2488 would provide a tax credit of $1500 for the purchase of hybrid electric vehicles.
Senate Bill 3183
Passed Senate 2/21/06, Referred to House Committee on Finance 3/24/06
SB 3183 would direct the Department of Health to develop greenhouse gas emission standards and adopt rules that achieve the maximum feasible reduction of greenhouse gasses emitted by passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks and any other vehicle whose primary use is non-commercial personal transport.
Senate Bill 3185
Passed Senate 3/7/06, Passed House and Returned Amended to Senate 4/11/06
SB 3185 would establish a statewide energy-efficiency utility agency which would achieve a statewide energy-efficiency portfolio standard of 10 percent by December 31, 2010; 15 percent by the end of 2015; and 20 percent by the end of 2020.
Senate Bill 3187
Passed Senate, Referred to House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection and House Committee on Finance 3/9/06
SB 3187 would authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies in state facilities.
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Illinois
House Bill 4137
Passed Senate, Returned Amended to House 3/28/06
HB 4137 would require all automobiles purchased from state funds to be flexible-fuel vehicles or fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.
House Bill 4313
Passed both Houses 3/28/06
HB 4313 would allow the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provided a hyperlink to the US EPA Energy Star website.
Senate Bill 1827
House Amendment 2 passed by House Committee on Rules 4/5/06, Referred to House Executive Committee 4/6/06
SB 1827 would increase the maximum payback period for energy savings contracts for municipalities and higher-education facilities from 10 years to 20 years.
Senate Bill 2369
Passed Senate, Referred to House Committee on Rules 03/15/06
SB 2369 would exempt car-sharing organizations from the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax, if 10 percent of their fleets are powered by hybrid engines.
Senate Bill 2868
Passed both Houses 4/11/06
SB 2868 would require that the Capital Development Board adopt and update an energy-efficiency code for state commercial buildings that incorporates the most recent available IECC standards.
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Indiana
House Bill 1076
Signed by the Governor 3/24/06
HB 1076 includes water and wastewater, in addition to energy, under the guaranteed savings contracts and utility efficiency programs that may be used by local units of government to reduce consumption and usage costs or to provide billable revenue increases.
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Iowa
Senate File 2347
Assigned to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment 3/27/06
SF 2347 would allow public entities and educational facilities to enter into energy performance-based contracts with a maximum payback period of 20 years.
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Kansas
House Bill 2602
Signed by the Governor 4/7/06
HB 2602 allows a municipality or state agency to enter into a contract or lease-purchase agreement for qualified energy conservation measures.
House Bill 2723
Passed by House Committee on Taxation, Referred to House Committee on Utilities 3/21/06
HB 2723 would provide tax credits for the installation of insulation or energy-efficient HVAC systems in non-owner occupied residential dwellings.
(The text from House Bill 2723 is mirrored in Senate Bill 70.)
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Maine
Legislative Document 1902 / House Bill 1343
Signed by the Governor 3/23/06
LD 1902 allows school facilities to enter into energy performance-based contracts with maximum payback periods of 15 years and total costs up to $2 million.
Legislative Document 2041 / House Bill 1439
Passed House, Sent to Senate 4/14/06
LD 2041 would allow the Public Utilities Commission to incorporate energy-efficiency projects into its standard offer service products. It would also direct utilities to enter into long-term cost-effective energy-efficiency contracts. It would also require the state to set minimum efficiency standards for consumer and commercial appliances not covered by the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005.
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Maryland
House Bill 1463
Passed House 4/4/06, Favorable Report from Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Matters 4/6/06
HB 1463 would create energy performance standards to require reductions of energy consumption in state buildings, would require state agencies to conduct energy consumption analyses, and would require state agencies to update energy conservation plans.
(Senate Bill 267 is the companion bill.)
Senate Bill 154
Signed by the Governor 4/6/06
SB 154, the “Healthy Air Act,” establishes limits on emissions from electricity generating facilities, and requires the Governor to include Maryland in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and allows the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generating facilities, along with other emissions-related provisions.
(House Bill 189 was the companion bill.)
Senate Bill 267
Passed both Houses 4/7/06
SB 267 would require the Department of General Services, in cooperation with the Maryland Energy Administration, to set specified energy performance standards and enforce energy consumption reductions for all state buildings.
Senate Bill 1009
Referred to Senate Committee on Budget and Taxation 3/8/06
SB 1009 would alter the size requirements for specified buildings to be eligible for green building tax credits from 20,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. The bill would also double the amount of credits to be issued by the Maryland Energy Administration to $50 million.
Senate Bill 1104
Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 3/24/06
SB 1104 would require electric utilities, when seeking competitive bids for electricity supply, to also seek bids for energy-efficiency projects. When those projects have annual savings equal or greater than the bid cost of generating the equivalent amount of energy, the utility would be required to adopt the energy-efficiency project before purchasing any additional supplies.
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Massachusetts
House Bill 4783
Passed House Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means 3/22/06
HB 4783 would provide for a rebate of up to 5 percent off the purchase price of clothes washers, refrigerators or dishwashers which meet or exceed Energy Star guidelines.
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Michigan
House Bill 5691
Referred to Second Reading 3/8/06
HB 5691 would create an income tax credit equal to 10 percent of the cost to purchase and install Energy Star-labeled products.
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Minnesota
House Bill 3139
Passed by House Committee on Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs, Referred to House Committee on Regulated Industries 4/3/06
HB 3139 would establish a climate neutral policy for state building projects funded with state bonds.
(Senate Bill 2677 is the companion bill.)
House Bill 3175
Re-referred to House Committee on Education, Referred to House Committee on Policy and Reform 3/16/06
HB 3175 would allow schools to include energy-efficiency improvement projects in alternative facilities plans.
(Senate Bill 2996 is the companion bill.)
Senate Bill 2759
Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 3/16/06
SB 2759 would provide grants covering up to 50 percent of the installed costs of energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects in nursing homes.
Senate Bill 2781
Introduced, Referred to Senate Committee on Taxes 3/8/06
SB 2781 would exempt specified energy-efficient products from sales taxes.
Senate Bill 2956
Introduced, Referred to Senate Committee on Jobs, Energy and Community Development 3/9/06
SB 2956 would require public gas and electric utilities, municipalities and cooperatives to invest a specific portion of their gross revenues in energy-efficiency projects.
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Mississippi
Senate Bill 2607
Signed by the Governor 3/13/06
SB 2607 increases the maximum payback period for energy savings contracts at community colleges to 15 years.
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Missouri
House Bill 1092
Passed House Fiscal Review 4/18/06
HB 1092 would create a tax deduction for individuals who purchase a hybrid motor vehicle of 10 percent of the purchase price of the vehicle, up to $1,500.
Senate Bill 1203
Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Energy and the Environment 3/7/06
SB 1203 would create a tax credit for the purchase of a hybrid vehicle. The bill would also create a tax credit for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment and appliances in single family homes, and installation of energy-efficient measures in commercial and multiple-family residences.
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New Jersey
House Bill 2866
Introduced, Referred to House Committee on the Environment and Solid Waste 3/16/06
HB 2866 would create a business tax credit of up to 15 percent of the purchase cost of certain alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrid vehicles.
Senate Bill 341
Passed Senate 3/20/06, Referred to House Committee on Government 3/21/06
SB 341 would require the purchase of Energy Star appliances in any contract paid with or out of state funds.
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New York
House Bill 4052
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means 3/7/06
HB 4052 would provide financial assistance for landlords/owners of multiple-family residential buildings to replace refrigerators with energy-efficient models.
Senate Bill 7107
Introduced, Referred to Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 3/22/06
SB 7107 would allow the State of New York Mortgage Agency to issue financing for energy-efficiency projects.
Senate Bill 7108
Introduced, Referred to Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations 3/22/06
SB 7108 would make all buildings eligible for state green-building tax credits.
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Oklahoma
House Bill 2081
Passed House 3/14/06, Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 3/20/06
HB 2081 would create an income tax credit of $1500 for the purchase of a hybrid vehicle.
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Rhode Island
Senate Bill 2906
Introduced, Referred to Senate Committee on Financial, Technology and Regulatory Issues 3/8/06
SB 2906 would, amoung other provisions, require the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to offer assistance to low and middle income households to become more energy efficient through weatherization and energy conservation projects. The bill would also require the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation to consider mortgages and financing options for home weatherization and energy-efficiency improvements costing up to 15 percent of the appraised value of the home.
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South Carolina
House Bill 4317
Referred to Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources 4/11/06
HB 4317 would require all facilities with construction budgets over $15 million built on State land to meet minimum LEED certification for energy-efficient design.
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Tennessee
House Bill 2623
Referred to House Committtee on Finance, Ways and Means 4/4/6
HB 2623 would reduce the sales tax on hybrid-electric and alternative fuel vehicles to 3.5 percent (from 7 percent), and would allow single-occupant drivers of these vehicles to drive in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.
(Senate Bill 2932 is the companion bill.)
Senate Bill 3200
Referred to Senate Committtee on Transportation 4/12/6
SB 3200 would allow single-occupant drivers of hybrid vehicles to drive in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.
(House Bill 3185 is the companion bill.)
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Texas
House Bill 16
Introduced, Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means 4/17/06
HB 16 would make hybrid motor and alternative fuel vehicles exempt from state sales taxes.
House Bill 27
Introduced, Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means 4/17/06
HB 27 would tax electrical generation at the rate of 60 cents per pound of nitrogen oxides emitted.
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Utah
House Bill 80
Signed by the Governor 3/17/06
HB 80 requires the Division of Facilities Construction and Management to develop incentives to encourage state entities to conserve energy and reduce energy costs, procure energy-efficient products (where practicable), and analyze state agency energy consumption, among other energy-saving provisions.
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Vermont
Senate Bill 259
Passed Senate 3/21/06, Assigned to House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy 3/23/06
SB 259 would set greenhouse gas reductions for the state of 25 percent below 1990 baseline levels by 2012, 50 percent by 2028 and, if practicable, 75 percent by 2050.
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Virginia
Senate Bill 262
Returned to Senate by Governor with Recommendations 4/11/06
SB 262 would, among other energy-related provisions, require state buildings to incorporate cost-effective energy conservation measures. The bill would also encourage the legislature to raise fuel-efficiency standards in vehicles and to provide incentives for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles.
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Washington State
House Bill 1010
Signed by the Governor 3/24/06
HB 1010 requires each electric utility, investor-owned utility, and consumer-owned utility in the state to develop an integrated resource plan. Each plan must describe the mix of generating resources and improvements in the efficient generation, transmission, distribution, and use of electricity that will meet current and future needs at the lowest reasonable cost to the utility and its ratepayers.
Senate Bill 6840
Signed by the Governor 3/24/06
SB 6840 sets minimum efficiency standards for eight types of commercial appliances, heating/cooling and lighting equipment sold within the state.
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Wisconsin
Senate Bill 459
Signed by the Governor 3/17/06
SB 459 requires the Department of Administration to annually review and revise energy-efficiency standards for equipment installed under state construction projects. It also directs the Department of Commerce to upgrade the Energy Conservation Code to refer to the IECC, and requires the code to be reviewed every 3 years.
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The Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA)
RECA continues its work to promote adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In March and April, RECA and its members were active in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. On April 18, the Iowa State Senate unanimously passed legislation that requires the state building commissioner to replace Iowa’s home heating index with the equivalent of a nationally recognized building energy code. On April 6, the Governor of Mississippi signed legislation that will direct all counties in the state to adopt the 2003 International Residential Code and 2003 International Building Code, both of which reference the 2003 IECC. States to watch for code developments in the months ahead are Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Utah. According to its mission, RECA will continue to promote the adoption of the most recent version of the IECC in these states.
Visit the RECA website for more information.
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