 March 2008 Newsletter Contents: by Malcolm Wolf Director of Maryland Energy Administration State Updates Idaho
ID EO7-21 ID HB 422 ID SB 1412 Illinois
IL HB 4640 IL HB 5369 IL SB 2456 Referred to the Rules Committee 2/14/08 Would create a tax credit for the purchase of a hybrid or a flexible fuel vehicle. Referred to Rules Committee 2/15/08 Would exempt from the sales and use tax energy efficient products that as Energy Star products for two one-week periods annually. IndianaFirst Reading 1/10/08 Engrossed by Senate 2/27/08; Returned to the House with Amendments 2/28/08 Would require the Environmental Quality Service Council to study whether public entities should be encouraged or required to seek to achieve energy and environmental design ratings in the construction and renovation of buildings, among other questions. First Reading: Referred to the Committee on Utilities & Regulatory Affairs 2/4/08 Would require Indiana to become a member of the Climate Registry. KansasReferred to Committee on Utilities 2/18/08 Would require an increase in the average fuel economy of the state vehicle fleet and the adoption of regulations for state agencies’ purchase of Energy-Star-equivalent appliances, green building standards for new state buildings, etc. Referred to Committee on Energy and Utilities 2/29/08 Would establish the Weatherization Assistance Program Account. Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 2/6/08 Would set limits on the carbon dioxide emissions to be permitted annually without fee from newly constructed large fossil-fuel-fired steam electricity units, and would provide offset credits for carbon reduction and sequestration projects. Referred to the Utilities Committee 1/31/08 Would require an increase in the average fuel economy of the state vehicle fleet and the adoption of regulations for state agencies’ purchase of Energy-Star-equivalent appliances, the installation of energy meters in new state buildings and schools, etc. Re-referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 2/28/08 Would set energy-efficiency standards for new state buildings and state vehicles, would require the installation of energy meters in new state buildings and schools, etc Referred to the Committee on Energy and Utilities 1/31/08 Would require an increase in the average fuel economy of the state vehicle fleet, the adoption of regulations for state agencies’ purchase of Energy-Star-equivalent appliances, and the installation of energy meters in new state buildings and schools. KentuckyIntroduced in House 2/13/08 Would require any building whose construction or renovation is funded at least 50% by the state to be LEED-certified, with some caveats. Referred to Committee on Tourism Development and Every 1/17/08 Would direct the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy to produce a report and recommendations addressing the adoption of a renewable-energy and energy-efficiency portfolio standard for electricity suppliers and funding mechanisms for financing incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Referred to Committee on Appropriations and Revenue Would create a tax credit for a building owner who purchases certain solar, geothermal or wind energy systems, energy-efficient windows or upgraded insulation. LouisianaExecutive Order Released 1/31/08 Requires state agencies to implement paperless office programs, single-stream recycling programs and best energy purchasing practices, and to develop energy efficiency goals for state facilities. MassachusettsPassed House, Sent to Senate 1/28/08 Would establish a host of policies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, including the state use of hybrid vehicles, the funding of demand-side management programs for electric utilities, etc. Engrossed by Senate 1/9/08; Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means 1/22/08 Would require a host of measures to increase energy efficiency and generate renewable energy, including making new or renovated state buildings more efficient, funding green communities programs and requiring home sellers to publicize the energy use of their homes. Engrossed by Senate 1/2/08; Referred to House Committee on Ways and Mean 1/3/08 Would provide for participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. MarylandMD SB 908Re-referred to Budget and Taxation Committee 2/22/08 Would establish an annual period when Energy Star products are exempt from the sales and use tax. Re-referred to Budget and Taxation Committee 2/14/08 Would authorize the Carroll County Board of Commissioners to grant a tax credit for the construction of non-residential green buildings. First Reading 2/1/08 Would establish a task force to study and make recommendations on the development of environmentally friendly communities in urban areas. MD SB 456/MD HB 985 First Reading 1/31/08 Would add to the list of products whose purchase is exempt from sales tax for one weekend each year a boiler that meets or exceeds the applicable Energy Star efficiency requirements. MD SB 309/MD HB 712 First Reading 1/28/08 Would direct the Maryland Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020 and by 90% by 2050, and to adopt regulations by 2011 that establish a cap-and-trade system for the emission of greenhouse gases. MD SB 219/MD HB 916 First Reading 1/22/08 Would require that new schools built in Baltimore County be built to a LEED Silver standard or the equivalent. MD SB 208/MD HB 376 First Reading 1/18/08 Would require many new large buildings to be built to a LEED Silver standard or the equivalent. MD SB 205/MD HB 374 First Reading 1/18/08 Would require all electric companies in Maryland to provide for their customers energy-efficiency and conservation measures and services, with the goal of reducing per capita electricity consumption by 15% by 2015 and per capita peak consumption by 15% by 2015. MD SB 204/MD HB 373 First Reading 1/18/08 Would establish transit-oriented development as a goal of transportation policy in Maryland. First Reading 2/8/08 Would direct the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Environment to study the potential direct and indirect impact that the Intercounty Connector could have on greenhouse gas emissions. First Reading 2/8/08 Would establish a pilot program on Smart Grid deployment, in order to assess the benefits of Smart Grid technology. MD HB 1337/MD SB 977 First Reading 2/8/08 Would establish the Maryland Clean Energy Center to promote and develop the clean energy industry sector. First Reading 2/8/08 Would establish the Maryland Clean Energy Center to promote and develop the clean energy industry sector. Would establish the Maryland Clean Energy Fund to provide financial assistance to encourage the development of clean energy industries. MD HB 1301/MD SB 885 First Reading 2/8/08 Would establish the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program to provide low-interest loans to non-profit organizations, local jurisdictions and eligible businesses for projects that promote energy conservation, improve energy efficiency, etc. First Reading 2/8/08 Would establish a tax credit in the amount of the sales and use tax for the purchase of an Energy-Star-certified product or a solar water heater. First Reading 2/6/08 Would create the Sustainable Energy Task Force to study and make recommendations on the creation of a sustainable energy program that promotes energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. First Reading 1/25/08 Would require the Department of the Environment to establish a program for energy-efficient tires. Would create a tax credit against the sales and use tax on the purchase of certain energy-efficient products. Would impose a surcharge on the sale of certain products that do not meet energy-efficiency standards. MaineReferred to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development 2/7/08 Would provide for updates to several aspects of the building code. Would provide for tax credits for the renovation and sale by the taxpayer of an energy efficient home. Referred to the Committee on Utilities and Energy 1/15/08 Would require the installation of time-of-use meters in any new commercial or residential building. Pre-filed 12/20/07 Would direct the Public Utility Commission to advocate for, and if possible require, a demand-side management program that compensates participants for reductions in peak consumption. MichiganReferred to Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities 1/22/08 Would create a tax credit for the purchase of residential Energy Star-Certified products. Referred to Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities Would create a program for “Low-Income Energy Efficiency Accounts,” which would match the funds provided by low-income residents in order to save money for energy-efficient appliances and home improvements. Referred to Committee on Tax Policy 1/9/08 Would create a $1,000 tax credit for the purchase of a hybrid vehicle. Executive Order Released 11/14/07 Creates the Michigan Climate Action Council to inventory sources of greenhouse gas emissions and compile a comprehensive climate action plan. MinnesotaPassed as Amended by Committee on Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications 2/25/08 Would create a program for government energy conservation investments. MN SB 3089/MN HB 2946 Referred to Committee on Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications 2/25/08 Would classify the strategic planting of trees or shrubs such as to reduce energy consumption in a home as an energy conservation improvement, and therefore make it eligible for direct expenditures. Referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications 2/25/08 Would create the Minnesota Department of Energy MN SB 2818/MN HB 3195 Environmental and Natural Resources Committee Report: No Recommendation; Referred to Energy, Utilities, Technologies and Communications 2/25/08 Would establish a cap-and-trade program on greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota and a Climate Trust Fund to assist Minnesota in its transition to a low greenhouse gas-emitting economy. Referred to Committee on Transportation 2/18/08 Would permit most low-emission, energy efficient or hybrid vehicles to obtain decal stickers that would certify them to drive in the High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes of Minnesota. MN SB 2706/MN HB 3401 Reported To Pass as Amended by the Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee; Re-Referred to State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee 2/28/08 Would create Sustainable Building 2030 standards to apply to all new or substantially renovated buildings, designed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in new buildings by the year 2030. MN SB 481/MN HB 863 Referred to Environmental and Natural Resources Committee 2/1/08 Would require the implementation of a low-emission vehicle program identical to the California low-emission vehicle program. Executive Order Released 1/17/08 Orders the creation of the Governor’s Clean Energy Technology Collaborative, which will design a road map for investment in the research and development of clean energy technology. MissouriRe-referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee Would create a Green Building Tax credit. Would set minimum standards for the proportion of state building energy use that is from renewable sources. Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Energy and the Environment 2/14/08 Would require any state or public building constructed or substantially renovated after August 2008 to be designed, constructed and managed to meet LEED standards. Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means 1/22/08 Would create a seven-day period in April during which the purchase of an Energy Star certified appliance is exempt from all state sales tax. Would create a financial assistance project to assist small businesses in conducted voluntary energy audits. Voted Do Pass by Senate Ways and Means Committee 2/18/08 Would create a tax credit for the purchase of a qualified alternative-fuel-vehicle-refueling property. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 2/28/08 Would create an annual seven-day period when Energy-Star-certified products priced under $1,500 are exempt from sales and use tax. Read Second Time 1/28/08 Would require that by 2010 all state buildings comply with the International Energy Conservation Code, and that by 2013 all state agency buildings reduce their energy use by 15%.
Read Second Time 1/28/08 Would require the seller of a newly constructed home to disclose to the buyer the home’s Energy Star efficiency rating. Referred to the Special Committee on Energy and Environment 2/28/08 Would require the Air Conservation Commission of Missouri to regulate the reporting and verification of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, and to recommend a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2022. MississippiReferred to Housing Committee and Finance Committee Would create a tax credit for low-income taxpayers for the purchase and installation of insulation, energy-efficiency windows or energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment. Referred to the Committees on Housing and Finance 1/31/08 Would create a tax credit for 10% of the purchase and installation of qualified energy efficiency improvements. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 2/13/08 Would create a tax credit for the purchase of a new hybrid vehicle. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 2/13/08 Would create a tax credit for low-income residents for the purchase and installation of insulation, energy-efficiency windows and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. NebraskaReferred to Revenue Committee 1/17/08 Would create the Energy Conservation Improvement Fund, which would fund grants under the Low-Income Home Energy Conservation Act. Referred to Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee 1/15/08 Would create the Nebraska Energy Council, whose purpose would be to collaborate efforts to advance energy efficiency. Would create the Nebraska Office of Energy Independence. New HampshireIntroduced, Referred to Transportation and Interstate Cooperation Committee 1/2/08 Would make smart growth tenets the crux of the state transportation policy. Would require the department of transportation to adopt rules within one year to implement the policy. Passed by Third Reading Resolution 1/23/08 Would establish energy efficiency standards that certain appliances and equipment must meet to be sold or installed in the state. Introduced and Referred to the Ways and Means Committee 2/6/08 Would establish the Energy Efficiency Fund, which would be funded by the state’s participation in energy demand-response programs and which would be used exclusively to fund energy performance contracts and to reimburse state agencies for demand-response program expenses. Amendment Proposed by Science, Technology and Energy Committee 2/21/08 Would create the Energy Conservation and Efficiency Board to advise and assist the electric and gas distribution companies in the development and implementation of statewide energy efficiency programs. Would replace the systems benefit surcharge on electricity consumption with the energy efficiency and assistance charge, which would fund such programs. Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 2/6/08 Would direct the Public Utilities Commission to develop and implement a rate structure that includes higher rates for peak-period consumption than for off-peak consumption and higher rates for above-average monthly household consumption. New JerseyNJ SB 1253/HB 1763 Introduced, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 2/21/08 Would set minimum energy-efficiency requirements for several appliances. NJ SB 1250/ HB 2034 Introduced, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 2/21/08 Would require that the design of new public schools incorporate LEED guidelines. NJ SB 987 Introduced, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee 1/28/08 Would provide for a 10% discount on EZ-Pass toll fees for drivers of cars whose fuel economy is 35 miles per gallon or better. NJ SB 876/NJ HB 822 Introduced, Referred to Senate Environmental Committee 1/28/08 Would exempt from the sales and use tax the purchase of partial zero emission vehicles. Introduced, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 1/24/08 Would require any resident who purchases natural gas or propane to heat his swimming pool to install in his swimming pool a solar heating system that displaces at least 25% of the natural gas consumption, unless the customer can prove that to do so would cause him undue economic hardship. NJ HB 2070/NJ SB 1077 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environmental and Solid Waste Committee 2/7/08 Would provide for a tax credit for 4% of allowable costs of the construction of a green building, with additional credit provided if the building achieves certain LEED designations. New MexicoNM SB 403: Resource and Energy Efficient Buildings Introduced 1/18/08 Would require that any large new building financed in any way by the Severance Tax Bonding Act be built using green building practices such that it consumes 50% or less of the national average energy consumption for that type of building. NM SB 211: Residential Energy Conservation Program Referred to Senate Finance Committee Would appropriate $5 million for 2008 and 2009 for a Residential Energy Conservation Program to increase the energy efficiency and reduce energy expenditures of homes occupied by low-income persons in New Mexico. NM SB 210: Residential Energy Efficiency Loam Program Do Pass Committee Report Adopted - Senate Finance Committee 1/19/08 Would appropriate $2.5 million for FYs 2008, 2009 and 2010 for a residential energy efficiency improvement loan program for low- and moderate-income households. NM SB 189: Home Energy Relief Fund Distributions Do Pass Committee Report Adopted – Senate Finance Committee 1/19/08 Would direct one-third of the net receipts of the Natural Gas Processors Tax to the Home Energy Relief Fund for low-income home energy assistance NM SB 35/NM HB 216: Energy-Efficient Appliance Tax Credit Do Pass Committee Report Adopted – Senate Finance Committee 1/17/08 Would provide for tax credits for the purchase of energy efficient home appliances. Signed into Law 2/27/08 Will direct the Public Utility Commission to encourage and manage energy efficiency and load management programs, and would require electric utilities to reduce their kilo-watt hour sales by 5% by 2014 and by 10% by 2020. NM HB 246: Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs Do Pass Committee Report Adopted – House Appropriations and Finance Committee 1/20/08 Would appropriate $3 million for FY 2009 to support the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and another $3 million to support the Weatherization Energy-Efficiency Program. NM HB 219: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Do Pass Committee Report Adopted – House Appropriations and Finance Committee Would appropriate $10 million for FY 2009 for home heating and weatherization for households that qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. New YorkIntroduced and Referred to Committee on Senate Energy and Telecommunications 1/17/08 Would grant to the Secretary of State and the President of the State Energy Research and Development Authority the power to establish energy efficiency performance standards for general purpose lighting products. Amended 1/16/08 Would establish goals for the reduction of energy use by 15% by 2025, and would mandate the achievement of these goals by energy conservation and efficiency and renewable energy sources. Would require the power authority to open a proceeding to identify the best programs to achieve energy goals. OhioIntroduced 2/21/08 Would require electric utilities to implement peak-demand programs to reduce peak energy use by 8% by 2018. Engrossed 1/15/08; Referred to Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee 1/32/08 Would require that the amount of money spent by counties on energy conservation measures be unlikely to exceed the amount saved in energy and operating costs over the average life of the measures, and that financed measures be paid for within the lesser of their average system life or thirty years. OklahomaReported Do Pass as Amended by the Finance Committee 2/25/08 Would provide tax credits of between $500 and $2,000 for the purchase of an alternative motor vehicle, given certain definitions and limitations. Introduced 2/4/08 Would require any large fleet of state agency vehicles to increase its fuel efficiency by 50% by the year 2012. Referred to the Appropriations Committee 2/5/08 Would require state agencies to create energy conservation plans that attempt to reduce both electrical and fuel consumption by 30% within the first 15 years of implementation. Referred to the Appropriations Committee 2/5/08 Would require the Board of Education of each school district to set a goal for reduction of the district’s schools’ energy use by 5% every year for 6 years, but would enforce no penalties for districts’ failure to reach the goals. Referred to the Rules Committee 2/12/08 Would create the Oklahoma Energy Efficiency and Emission Reduction Program. Referred to the Rules Committee 2/5/08 Would grant permission to municipally owned utilities or public trusts thereof to expend funds to assist customers in the establishment of energy conservation activities. Referred to General Government and Transportation Committee Would require that all major facility projects that receive funding in a state capital budget, excluding projects of public agencies and public school districts, be designed, constructed and certified to at least the LEED silver standard. Referred to General Government and Transportation Committee Would require the Department of Central Services to adopt an energy-efficiency standard certification program for public buildings, and would require state agencies and departments to perform building renovations or construction to achieve the highest performance certificate attainable. OregonEngrossed 2/22/08 Among related measures, would require the State Department of Energy to reduce energy use in facilities the agency owns by 20% by the year 2015. PennsylvaniaPassed House 2/12/08 Would direct the Public Utility Commission to develop a program to provide for the implementation of cost-effective programs that reduce energy demand and consumption. Referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs 1/3/08 Would direct all counties in Pennsylvania to require that taxi cabs operated in their jurisdiction gradually be replaced by hybrid vehicle taxi cabs. Referred to Environmental Resources and Energy 12/10/07 Would require that, by the year 2010, at least 50% of all vehicles produced by the state agencies either have a Federal fuel economy rating of over 45 miles per gallon; are hybrid electric vehicles; or are alternative fuel vehicles. Referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs 1/15/08 Directs the electric distribution companies of Pennsylvania to file a smart meter procurement and installation plan with the Public Utility Commission and to implement consumer education programs about available energy efficiency and demand-side response programs and methods to reduce energy consumption. Referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs 1/15/08 Would require the Public Utility Commission to develop a program to provide for the implementation of cost-effective programs that reduce energy demand and consumption. Sets a goal of 2.5% reduction of electricity use in the state by the year 2013, and other goals for the reduction of peak demand. |
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