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March 2008
Newsletter Contents:
Guest Highlight
by Malcolm Woolf Director of Maryland Energy Administration
State Updates
Legislative updates from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois,Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia.
by Malcolm Woolf Director of Maryland Energy Administration
Maryland is facing significant electricity challenges that have real world impacts on its economy, environmental quality, and overall standard of living. Over the past few years, Maryland has experienced dramatic hikes in electricity rates, coupled with a warning that electricity shortages could cause rolling blackouts as early as 2011. At the same time, global warming and other environmental challenges are driving a transition from fossil fuels to more sustainable, clean energy.
In July 2007, Governor O’Malley announced the EmPOWER Maryland goal of reducing state-wide per capita electricity consumption 15% by 2015, one of the nation’s most ambitious energy efficiency targets. Also in July, the Administration held the Governor’s Energy Summit, which brought together businesses, utilities, environmental groups, government agencies, and political leaders to discuss and develop solutions to lower energy bills while providing clean and reliable electricity to all Marylanders. At the request of the Governor, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) developed the Maryland Strategic Electricity Plan in January to assist the Governor and General Assembly in crafting a sustainable energy policy for Maryland’s future.
To lower electricity bills and keep the lights on in the face of Maryland’s projected electricity shortage, Governor O’Malley introduced the following five energy initiatives: creating a "Strategic Energy Investment Fund" to stimulate energy efficiency and renewable energy investments without relying on general funds; codifying the EmPower Maryland energy efficiency goal to ensure that utilities do their share; increasing the percentage of power that utilities must purchase from clean renewable sources (RPS); mandating that all new state buildings and schools are energy efficient; and increasing the current solar and geothermal grants to make the systems available to a greater number of Marylanders. By helping to reduce demand and increase supply of clean energy, these initiatives will help Maryland take control of its energy future.
Back to Contents Alaska
AK HB 288
Introduced 1/15/2008
Establishes a net metering program allowing consumers to offset the cost of electricity they buy from a utility by selling their own electric power generated by themselves, possibly through solar photovoltaics at their homes or businesses back to the utility.
AK SB 289
Introduced 2/19/2008
Would establish that the Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation may not make a loan towards the construction of a new home or building unless that home or building meet specific energy conservation and weatherization standards.
Back to Contents Arizona
AZ HB 2042
Introduced 1/14/2008
Would adopt energy conservation standards to be used in the construction of new capital projects. Uses the green building rating standard developed by the United States green building council as a model to implement these standards.
AZ HB 2307
Introduced 1/16/2008
Authorizes each city and town in the state to adopt and annually update a building energy code for residential and commercial construction that conforms to the international energy conservation code adopted by the international code council.
AZ HB 2311
Assigned to the Rules and Government Committees 1/22/2008
Any new public building or renovation of a public building over five thousand square feet of space, will be constructed and certified to at least the LEED silver standard.
AZ HB 2542
Introduced 1/17/2008
This bill seeks by January 1, 2010 to establish a reporting and monitoring system of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a statewide greenhouse emissions limit, based upon 1990 levels. The determined level shall be achieved by no later than 2021, and will remain in effect until the law is amended. It hopes to by January 1, 2013, to set specific limits and measures on how to reach these specific GHG targets using the most cost-effective and efficient means technology allows.
AZ HB 2544
introduced 1/17/2008;
Will make the purchase of electric appliances that meet or surpass energy star efficiency standards exempt from the state sales tax. The sales tax exemption will expire at the end of 2013.
AZ HB 2588
Introduced 1/17/2008;
Would set aside proceeds from the state lottery to be directed into the energy efficiency project grants fund, where school districts may apply for a grant that will go towards the building of new energy efficient schools, the renovation of old school buildings to improve their energy efficiency, and renewable energy projects at new and existing school buildings.
AZ HB 2619
Introduced 1/31/2008;
Would require projects funded by the New School Facilities Fund to conform to energy performance standards approved by the school facilities board. And that the board must consider energy and environmental design rating systems developed by the USGBC when developing their standards.
AZ HB 2766
Assigned to WA, Rules, and Environment Committee 2/13/2008
HB 2766, which is the state omnibus energy package would establish energy efficiency goals for residential and commercial construction, schools and state buildings. Would establish the IECC as the voluntary state energy code. Would require state agencies to reduce energy use by 20% by 2015 and 30% by 2020, and would also require all school districts to reduce energy use by 10% by July 1, 2011; 15% by July 1, 2015 and 20% by July 1, 2020. School districts and universities must use Energy Star certified products and all new state buildings must be LEED certified.
AZ SB 1039 /1041
Introduced 1/14/2008;
Pending approval from the federal government, this bill would allow drivers of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, if the vehicle has at-least 45% fuel efficiency, to drive in the specially marked HOV lanes, regardless of how many persons are in the vehicle at any time without penalty.
Back to Contents California
CA AB 811
Passed the House and sent to Senate 1/29/2008;
AB 811 would help finance the costs of energy-efficient home improvements, in particular the use of solar power, by voluntarily allowing cities to provide low-interest loans to property owners. The bill would enable the loans to be repaid over an extended period of time by adding the loan payments to the residents' property taxes.
CA AB 1065
Passed the House 42-32, sent to Senate 1/29/2008
This bill would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to adopt standards that would reduce energy consumption per gross square foot of floor space for new residential and new nonresidential buildings, based on 2003 energy consumption rates.
CA AB 1327
Passed by Committee on Utilities and Commerce on 1/15/2008, and sent to Committee on Appropriations.
This bill would extend the maximum repayment period from 15 years to 30 years for loans from the Energy Conservation Assistance Account which provides money to support energy efficiency measures in schools, hospitals, public care institutions and local government entities.
CA AB 2003
Introduced 2/15/2008
AB 2003 creates The Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund paid for by the selling of state funds to help finance energy efficiency projects and to help ensure California meets its GHG reduction requirements
CA AB 2030 / AB 2112
Introduced 2/15/2008
Would require new residential and new non-residential buildings built after the begging of 2020 to be zero net energy buildings
CA AB 2267
Introduced 2/21/2008
Would require the State Air Resources Board, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, and the Public Utilities Commission to provide incentive programs for energy efficiency, including renewable energy, or the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
CA AB 2309
Introduced 2/21/2008
Would enhance energy efficiency for single-family residential dwellings that were built prior to the development of the current energy efficiency standards
CA AB 2538
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would allow for manufacturers to voluntarily label the carbon footprint onto every product sold in the state
CA AB 2596
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would enable any city or county that is able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent of the state board projections may sell, exchange, or auction any incremental emissions reduction in any open market-based compliance mechanism established by the state board.
CA AB 2678
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would establish before July 1, 2010, the state develop a mechanism to sale energy-efficiency credits for residential and commercial buildings.
CA AB 2769
Introduced 2/22/2008
Will improve the energy efficiency and decrease the peak electricity demand of air-conditioners in the state by adopting the recommendations of a report conducted by the Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
CA AB 2790
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would seek to encourage customers to voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption, improve the ability of utility’s to detect and prevent power outages, and maximize the use of existing infrastructure whenever economically and technically feasible.
CA AB 2791
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would amend the Public Utilities Code, enabling utilities to purchase excess electricity from non-profits whose total heat and power generation is less than 20 megawatts.
CA AB 2864
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would encourage school districts to increase their energy-efficiency by investing in renewable energy components for new school construction projects
CA AB 2916
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would require that all buildings owned or leased by the state meet the standards of the United States Green Building Council's LEED gold standard.
CA AB 3001
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would create a voluntary carbon offset commission to allow businesses, industries and the general public to have an opportunity to reduce their "carbon footprint" by donating money to a state fund dedicated to reducing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and business and residential energy consumption
CA SB 1240
Introduced 2/14/2008
Would require the state to adopt a low-carbon fuel standard that achieves the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels, and at least a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by January 1, 2020.
CA SB 1278
Introduced 2/19/2008
Would issue requests for grant proposals from private developers to engage in projects that have been certified by the California Green Builder Program.
CA SB 1374
Introduced 2/21/2008
Allows for vehicles that meets California's super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV) standard to utilize the HOV marked lanes, regardless of number of passengers.
CA SB 1550
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would provide guidelines for climate change risks and opportunities for corporations doing business in California.
CA SB 1670
Introduced 2/22/2008
Will put up for voter referendum the idea of enacting a Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction State Building Trust Fund of 2008, to authorize the sale of $2 billion worth of state bonds for implementing programs to reduce the energy purchased by state utilities for state owned and leased buildings.
CA SB 1724
Introduced 2/25/2008
Would amend California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, by allowing agricultural entities to participate in the buying and selling of carbon credits.
CA SB 1728
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would authorize a study to figure out the best way to shift peak electricity demand from late afternoon and early evening to night and early morning hours
CA SB 1760
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would create the Climate Action Team (CAT), consisting of representatives from specified state agencies, that would be responsible for coordinating the state's overall climate policy
CA SB 1761
Introduced 2/22/2008
Would revise the California Water Plan to proscribe the best ways to promote water efficiency, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas emission reductions in water operations and activities
Back to Contents Colorado
CO HB 1025
Passed the House 1/30/2008, introduced in Senate 2/04/2008.
HB 1025 would authorize the creation of a new governor’s energy office; establishes the duties and power of the office, which will work to promote energy efficiency technologies and renewable energies.
CO HB 1107
Sent to Transportation & Energy Committee on 2/05/2008.
HB 1107 would direct utilities and other electricity providers serving 5,000 or more customers to engage in conservation and energy efficiency programs and to devote funding equal to 1% of sales revenue in their first year, and 2% in their second and subsequent years. However, if a utility's sales fall at-least 3% from the year before they will be exempt from the efficiency spending requirement. Will also require periodic reports from utilities to the governor's energy office.
CO HB 1164
Introduced 1/16/2008; sent to Transportation & Energy Committee un-amended 2/19/2008.
HB 1164 would direct the Public Utilities Commission to consider the advantages of acquiring utility scale solar power plants to meet the state's energy needs. Would also require the commission to give full consideration to impacts of future carbon regulation on electricity pricing when evaluating utility resource plans, and would also encourage utilities to exceed the minimum renewable resource standards.
CO HB 1270
Passed the House Committee on Transportation & Energy with amendments on 2/19/2008.
Would expand the current regulation allowing for the installation of energy efficiency measures in homeowners associations – which would be no longer permitted to restrict the implementation of energy efficiency devices in new or existing homes.
CO HB 1312
Introduced 2/01/2008
Would require consideration of land use planning in the regional transportation planning process and other new requirements in creating new performance efficiency and sustainability goals.
CO SB 147
Passed the senate 2/25/2008; introduced in house on 2/26/2008.
SB 147 would repeal the exemptions for low-income housing and facilities constructed with mineral impact revenues from the requirement that state facilities be designed, constructed and renovated to meet a high energy –efficiency performance standard.
Back to Contents Connecticut:
CT HB 5211 / CT HB 5395
Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology on 2/14/2008 & 2/15/2008
HB 5211 would promote the purchasing of energy efficient appliances by exempting Energy Star appliances from the sales tax. HB 5395 would retroactively set the sales tax exemption to include Energy Star purchases made since October 1, 2007.
CT HB 5596
Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology on 2/21/2008
Would forbid any governing body or community association from imposing an ordinance, regulation or other restriction prohibiting the drying of clothes through the use of clotheslines, drying racks or other use of direct solar energy in a residential setting
CT HB 5600
Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology on 2/21/2008
Would create a schedule for the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions at least 10 % below 1990 levels by 2020. A statewide program would be created to ensure these reduction limits are met by requiring certain facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions, requiring low-carbon fuel standards for all vehicles and home heating fuels, and requiring the State Building Code to be revised to reflect more stringent energy standards, and ensure all new construction and major renovation meet certified green building standards.
CT SB 23
Hearing before Joint Committee on Energy and Technology on 2/21/2008.
Will require each state agency to adopt and submit an energy conservation and climate change action plan to the Governor every other year affective April 1, 2009. Will also provide a rebate for the purchase of Energy Star qualified natural gas furnaces or boilers, mandate that bus drivers turn off their bus’ engines when idling for more than three minutes, as well as require and provide incentives for other energy saving measures
CT SB 262
Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology on 2/19/2008
Would make permanent, the sales tax exemption for high mileage and hybrid vehicles
CT SB 263
Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology on 2/19/2008
Will extend the current tax breaks and credits that are currently available for energy-efficient residential heating and cooling units to also be applied to commercial units that meet the same standards
CT SB 427
Public hearing before the Joint Committee on Banks on 2/22/2008
Would mandate that at least 10 percent of all loans provided by home loan lenders be for the purchase or construction of an energy-efficient residential property or for the purpose of making energy-efficient renovations
Back to Contents Florida
FL HB 387 / FL SB 1102
HB 387 refereed to Committee on Infrastructure on 1/29/2008. SB 1102; referred to Transportation; Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committees on 2/07/2008.
This bill would require certain vehicles driven in an HOV lane to comply with specified fuel economy standards; such a standard shall be determined in accordance with EPA rule.
FL HB 457 / FL SB 1178
HB 457 referred to Energy Committee on 1/25/2008. SB 1178 Referred to Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Communications and Public Utilities; Finance and Tax; General Government Appropriations 2/07/2008.
These bills would direct the Public Service Commission to require electric utilities to develop a net metering program; allowing for customer to receive credit for electricity generated by renewable energy systems. Additionally, would create a sales tax holiday from October 5th to October 14th for the purchasing of residential energy efficient products under $1500.
FL SB 2160
Filed 2/21/2008
Would exempt those who buy or lease a gas-electric hybrid or alternative fueled car from sales tax
Back to Contents Georgia
GA HB 948
House Committee Favorably Reported 2/29/2008
This bill would allow a sales tax exemption for the purchase of home and personal use energy efficient products under $1,500 between the dates of October 2nd, 2008 to October 5th, 2008.
GA HB 1130
First read in House 2/08/2008
Would change the exemption from sales and use tax with respect to certain energy efficient products; would provide for an exemption with respect to certain sales of certain types of water efficient products.
GA HB 1259
First read in House 2/20/2008
Would provide tax credits for energy efficient appliances in households. Would instruct the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources to develop standards for and certify qualified premium energy efficient appliances.
Back to Contents Hawaii
HI HB 1997 / HI SB 2121
HB 1997 sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection Labor and Public Employment, and Finance Committees on 1/16/2008; SB 2121 referred to Senate Energy & Environmental, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, and Ways and Means Committee on 1/22/2008;
Would declare all state and county agencies to replace all lighting fixtures in government buildings and facilities with compact fluorescent light bulbs
HI HB 2003
Passed the House unanimously and sent to Senate on 2/28/2008
Would appropriate funding for the Hawaii energy policy forum which seeks to develop smart energy solutions to sustain a healthy, prosperous, and secure Hawaii.
HI HB 2004
Passed House Finance Committee with amendments on 2/219/2008.
Would appropriate funding to the Hawaii energy policy forum, to have a study done by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, on energy-efficient transportation strategies. The study will look into increasing of modes of travel for the public, as well as how to increase the fuel economy of Hawaii’s vehicles.
HI HB 2044 / HI SB 2231
HB 2044 sent to House Energy and Environmental protection, Labor, and Public Employment, and Finance Committees on 1/16/2008; SB 2231 hearing held before Senate Energy and Environment and the Education Committees on 2/01/2008.
Will provide funding to replace all incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs in public schools.
HI HB 2101
Passed the Committees on House Energy and Environmental Protection on 1/29/2008.
Will create the “Hawaii Energy Loan Fund” to help finance energy projects that will promote energy conservation, alternative fuel projects, improve fuel economy, and buildings and facilities that will save energy.
HI HB 2102 / HI SB 2096
HB 2102 passed the Committees on House Energy and Environmental Protection on 1/29/2008. SB 2096 refereed to Energy & Environment and Ways & Means Committees on 1/18/2008.
Would create a clean vehicle incentive program by providing rebates to buyers of vehicles that emit low amounts of greenhouse gases. The rebates will be given based on a sliding scale to buyers of vehicles that emit less greenhouse gas than the average vehicle sold that model year. Moreover, this bill would create a surcharge, also based on a sliding scale, to buyers of vehicles that emit more emissions than the average vehicle sold that model year.
HI HB 2106 / HI SB 2116
HB 2106 sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection, Transportation, and Finance Committees on 1/15/2008; SB 2116 refereed to Energy & Environment, Economic Development & Taxation, and Ways & Means Committees on 1/22/2008.
Would provide a one time tax credit of $1,500 for the purchase of a hybrid or alternative fueled vehicle
HI HB 2107 / HI SB 2243
HB 2107 sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection and Finance Committees on 1/15/2008; SB 2243 refereed to Energy & Environment, Tourism & Government Operations, and Ways & Means Committees on 1/22/2008
Would require compact fluorescent bulbs to be used in all state buildings as well as initiate a public education campaign to promote and expand use of compact fluorescents.
HI HB 2108 / HI SB 2125
HB 2108 sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection and Transportation Committees; SB 2125 sent to Transportation & International Affairs and Energy & Environment Committees on 1/22/2008
This bill would allow drivers of hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles to use HOV marked lanes at anytime regardless of the number occupants in the vehicle.
HI HB 2178
Sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection, Transportation, and Finance Committees on 1/15/2008.
Would instruct the Director of Health to adopt vehicle emission standards that meet or exceed those of California, which in 2002 passed a law that directed automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles sold in the state 30% by 2016.
HI HB 2181
Sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection, Labor, and Finance Committees on 1/15/2008
This bill, similar to HB 2107, would phase out incandescent bulbs in all state buildings by July, 2010, replacing all inefficient bulbs with either CFL’s, or LED’s by this date.
HI HB 2183
Sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection and Finance Committees on 1/17/2008
Would amend Act 234; passed in 2007, mandating the state of Hawaii to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions at or below its 1990 levels, by setting up benchmarks for reductions. Targeting at least 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the beginning of 2015, and a 75 percent reduction by the begging of 2018.
HI HB 2330
Passed House Finance Committee with amendments on 2/29/2008
This bill would waive parking fees, registration fees and licensing fees, and open up HOV marked lanes to electric run vehicles.
HI HB 2504 / HI SB 2842
HB 2504 passed House Finance Committee with amendments on 2/29/2008. SB 2842 passed Ways & Means Committee with amendments on 2/29/2008
Would ban the sale of certain lighting products containing high levels of lead and mercury by the January 1, 2010, and would order all general purpose light sold to produce at least 50 lumens per watt of electricity consumed. Furthermore, the bill would force the construction of new buildings to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver or two green globes rating system or another comparable state‑approved, nationally recognized, and consensus‑based guideline for energy efficiency. And, would implement water and energy efficiency practices in places of business to reduce waste and increase conservation, as well as promote the purchase of ENERGY STAR products and would utilize utility rebates wherever available to reduce purchase and installation costs.
HI HB 2987
Sent to House Energy and Environmental Protection and Finance Committees on 1/25/2008
This bill would ensure that 25 percent of all lighting in state buildings comes from energy efficient sources by 2020. And, that at least 25 percent of all vehicles purchased by the state government are hybrids or fuel cell vehicles by the year 2020.
HI HB 3211 / HI SB 2933
HB 3211 passed the Finance Committee with amendments on 2/25/2008. SB 2933 passed the Senate Commerce Consumer Protection & Housing Committee with amendments on 2/22/2008
This bill would allow the use of clotheslines on any privately owned single-family residential dwelling or townhouse, since many homeowners associations citing aesthetic reasons; forbid the practice of using clotheslines to dry laundry. The utilization of a clothesline would be a smart energy saving tactic since electric clothes dryers can use over 10 percent of many households’ energy demand.
HI HB 3237
Referred to House Energy and Environmental Protection, Water, Land Use and Hawaiian Affairs, Transportation, Consumer Protection & Commerce, and Finance Committees on 1/25/2008
HB 3237 would provide a framework for energy self-sufficiency, by directing all new construction to employ energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. As well as, force all transmitters of electricity to pay a carbon fee of $50 per ton of greenhouse gas emitted, with the fee increasing by 5 percent every year. These fees will go towards a Renewable Energy Fund, to finance renewable and energy efficiency projects.
HI HR 70 / HI HCR 86
Both referred to House Education, and Energy and Environmental Protection Committees on 2/29/2008.
Resolutions requesting the department of education to replace all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting
HI SB 2325
Sent to Senate Energy & Environment, Tourism & Government Operations, and Ways & Means Committees on 1/22/2008
Would require that the construction of new state office buildings or those that will require future renovation meet at least the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED gold rating and require state facilities to purchase energy efficient equipment such as ENERGY STAR products and use utility rebates where available to reduce purchase and installation costs.
HI SB 2365
Passed the Senate and sent to the House on 2/08/2008.
Will allow for HOV lanes to be used by hybrid vehicles regardless of number of persons in the vehicle
HI SB 2625
Ways & Means held a hearing on 2/22/2008
Would appropriate funding to the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, to have a study done by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, on energy-efficient transportation strategies. The study will look into increasing of modes of travel for the public, as well as how to increase the fuel economy of Hawaii’s vehicles.
HI SB 2685
Sent to Ways & Means Committee on 2/01/2008.
Would appropriate funding to the Department of Education to develop a plan to reduce temperatures in public schools through energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.
HI SB 2885
Committee on Energy & Environment held a hearing on 2/04/2008
Would prohibit the sale of incandescent lamps in the state after the 31st of December, 2008.
HI SB 2932
Passed Ways & Means Committee with amendments on 2/29/2008.
Will increase the current 5 cent tax on every barrel of oil sold in the state to help fund energy conservation measures, development of alternative energy, and support research to further the requirement of Hawaii’s new greenhouse gas limit.
Back to Contents Iowa
IA HB 2289
Introduced 2/18/2008
Will create a green building property tax credit fund, providing property tax credits to buildings that meet certain green building certification
IA HB 2352
Introduced 2/21/2008
Will provide a property tax credit for apartment buildings and rental units that meet LEED green building certification
IA HB 2361
Referred to Environmental Protection Committee on 2/21/2008
This bill would create an audit program for utilities, providing utilities file an energy efficiency plan that must meet the approval of the Iowa utilities board. The audit must assess the current level of energy efficiency both structurally and relating to appliance operation, and provide recommendations for energy efficiency improvements and estimates of resulting savings.
IA HDSB 586 / IA SDSB 3091 / IA SB 2180
HDSB 586 introduced 1/29/2008. SDSB referred to Subcommittee on Economic Growth. SB 2180 referred to Ways & Means Committee on 2/19/2008
Would increase the current 10 percent investment tax credit for energy efficiency projects on a new or renovated home or business. The new tax credit will be determined after a study takes place. SB 2180 / SDSB 3091 would look to increase the tax credit to 12 percent.
IA SB 2083
Referred to Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee on 2/05/2008
Would create the utility and transportation energy efficiency advisory councils to make recommendations regarding efforts and strategies to achieve the state energy efficiency goal; the goal would be to have energy savings amounting between 1 and 1.5 percent per capita per year on a statewide basis over the next ten years.
IA SB 2084
Referred to Ways & Means Subcommittee 2/04/2008
Will provide income tax credits for certain public buildings that meet high-performance energy efficiency standards
IA SB 2152
Referred to Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee on 2/13/2008
Would mandate electric and gas public utilities offering energy efficiency rebates to customers as a component of their energy efficiency programs, to allocate a portion of the rebate funds specifically for the installation of small scale renewable energy systems, such as solar hot water and photovoltaic systems.
IA SB 2167
Referred to Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee on 2/14/2008
Would require an energy efficiency review to be conducted by a gas or electric utility prior to the issuance of a construction permit
IA SB 2170
Referred to Education Subcommittee on 2/14/2008
Will encourage school districts, community colleges, and education agencies to enter into energy-efficiency contracts during building remodeling that will result in energy conservation as well as energy cost savings
IA SB 2192
Referred to Natural Resources and Environment Committee on 2/19/2008
Would establish a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 50% to 90% by 2050 from 2005 levels. Also would disallow cost recovery of all or a portion of investment expenses incurred by a utility on or after July 1, 2008, which the utility board determines are attributable to greenhouse gas emissions. Also, directs the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a study on the feasibility of carbon sequestration.
IA SDSB 3125
Refereed to Local Government Subcommittee on 2/05/2008
Would require a contractor prior to receiving a building permit for the construction or renovation of a residential home, has reviewed energy efficiency design alternatives with the home buyer or owner.
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