Guest Highlight
by Councilwoman Mary Cheh

State Updates
Legislative updates from Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina New Hampshire New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia

Minnesota

SB 2706

• Signed by Governor 5/08/08
• Creates the Sustainable Building 2030 initiative, which requires all new state-run buildings to be designed to exceed the state energy code by 30 percent, mandates that building performance standards be updated every three to five years, and establishes the goal of making all state buildings carbon neutral by 2030.

SB 3096

• Signed by Governor 5/23/08
• Would create the Government Energy Improvement Project and would require the Department of Commerce to contract with a Minnesota not-for-profit to offer voluntary energy efficiency programs to state agencies & local governments.

SB 3155/ HB 3939

• Referred to Senate Committee on Taxes 2/22/08; Referred to House Committee on Taxes 3/10/08
• Would provide a corporate tax credit to entities that invest in energy efficiency research and development.

SB 3337 / HB 3661

• Approved by Governor 5/12/08
• Law sets a process to formulate a greenhouse gas reduction plan for the state, including mandatory reporting of the amount of hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride emissions from anyone purchasing 100 metric tons or more CO2 equivalent of those greenhouse gases.

SB 3539 / HB 3999

• See SB 3096

SB 3540 / HB 3998

• See SB 3096

SB 3829 / HB 4093

• Referred to Senate Transportation Committee 4/07/08; Referred to House Transportation Finance Committee 3/17/08
• Would allow fuel efficient vehicles to use the HOV lanes toll free regardless of the number of occupants.

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Missouri

SB 1181

• Signed by Governor 7/10/08
• Enacts a slew of energy efficiency measures, including: revising the minimum building energy efficiency standard so that it is at least as stringent as the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code; creating the “Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday” starting in 2009, which exempts all retail sales of Energy Star-certified appliances from state and local sales taxes from April 19 to April 25 every year; working to secure federal grants established under EISA 2007 to increase the energy efficiency of products and buildings, promote green jobs, and increase research and development; and promulgating energy efficiency standards for new products sold in the state that are more stringent than the Energy Star standards.

SB 1261

• Referred to House Rules Committee 4/29/08
• Would require all appliances purchased with state funding to be Energy Star certified; would give income tax credits for individuals who construct or renovate a green building or green tenant space; would authorize an income tax deduction for a qualified home energy audit; and would require all sellers of newly constructed homes to disclose the home’s energy efficiency rating according to the Energy Star rating system.

SB 1277

• Hearing Conducted by Commerce, Energy and Environment Committee 4/10/08
• Would allow electric and gas utilities to implement energy efficiency programs, subject to the review and approval of the Public Service Commission (PSC), and allows utilities to raise rates to recover the costs of implementing energy efficiency measures. Any approved energy efficiency program could be terminated at any time by the PSC or the utility.

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North Carolina

HB 2134

• See SB 1597

HB 2282 / SB 1762

• Referred to House Committee on Energy & Energy Efficiency 5/20/08; Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations/Base Budget 5/21/08
• Would appropriate funds to ensure the efficient, green operation of school facilities.

HB 2381 / SB 1842

• Referred to House Committee on Energy and Energy Efficiency 5/26/08; Referred to Senate Committee on State and Local Government 5/22/08
• Would allow the town of Chapel Hill to require greater energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in new development and redevelopment as part of its building codes.

HB 2528

• Referred to House Committee on Appropriations 5/26/08
• Would create the Green School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, to be used for no‑interest loans to local boards of education for certain energy‑related construction, commissioning, and installation projects. Would establish the Green School Construction Program, a voluntary program to facilitate construction or major retrofitting of school buildings to be at least LEED-Silver.

HB 2529

• Signed by Governor 7/11/08
• Extends the legislative commission on global climate change through September 2009.

HB 2531

• Referred to Committee on Energy and Energy Efficiency 5/26/08
• Would require all major facilities constructed using state funds to consume at least 30 percent less energy than the ASHRAE 2004 standard, and all state-operated building undergoing major renovations to consume 20 percent less energy than ASHRAE 2004 standard.

HB 2532

• See SB 1946

HB 2720

• Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 7/14/08
• Would require state agencies, when purchasing new passenger motor vehicles, to give preference to those vehicles that have a fuel economy that is in the top fifty percent of its class of comparable automobiles.

SB 1597

• Signed by Governor 6/30/08
• Authorizes the cities of Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington, and the towns of Carrboro, Cary, and Chapel Hill to provide development incentives for energy efficiency.

SB 1769

• Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 5/21/08
• Would establish a sales and use tax holiday for the purchase of certain Energy Star products with a sales price of $6,000 or less by residential customers starting the third Monday in April through the following Sunday, through the year 2015. Product categories covered include appliances, heating and cooling equipment, home envelope equipment, home electronics and lighting.

SB 1944

• Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 5/22/08
• Would establish a sales and use tax holiday for the purchase of certain Energy Star products from the first Friday of August through the following Sunday. Products covered include: clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, and refrigerators with a sales price of $2,000 or less; central air conditioning units, heat pumps, boilers, and furnaces with a sales price of $6,000 or less; ceiling fans and room air conditioners with a sales price of $500 or less; compact fluorescent light bulbs; and programmable thermostats with a sales price of $200 or less.

SB 1946

• Signed by Governor 8/8/08
• Requires all newly constructed state university and community college facilities to consume at least 30 percent less energy than the ASHRAE 2004 standard, and consume 20 percent less energy than the ASHRAE 2004 standard for renovation projects.

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New Hampshire

SB 422

• Signed by Governor 6/30/08
• Bill adds an energy section to zoning and planning master plans, which will include an analysis of energy and fuel resources, needs, scarcities, costs, and problems affecting the municipality and a statement of policy on the conservation of energy.

SB 451

• Signed by Governor 7/16/08
• Bill requires that energy produced by electric generation equipment owned by a public utility be used as an offset to distribution system losses or the utilities own use; requires that any fossil-fueled generation shall produce combined heat and power with a minimum energy efficiency of 60 percent, in order to increase overall energy efficiency and provide energy diversity by eliminating, displacing, or better managing energy deliveries from the centralized bulk power grid.

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New Jersey

AB 822

• Introduced 1/8/08
• Provides a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of fuel efficient automobiles and imposes a surcharge on automobiles with a sales or lease price of $45,000 or more.

AB 844

• Signed by Governor 9/10/08
• Allows public entities to enter into contracts of up to 15 years for energy conservation or provision of renewable energy production in publicly owned buildings. These contracts can be used for the purchase of energy efficiency equipment or demand response equipment, including combined heat and power facilities.

AB 1638 / SB 647

• Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on 5/8/08
• Would require the Board of Pubic Utilities to give preference to Energy Star compliant homes for its financial incentives to obtain photovoltaics.

AB 2507

• Passed Assembly 6/23/08
• Would authorize the Board of Public Utilities to provide grants for combined heat and power production, energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.

AB 2684

• Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee 5/12/08
• Would provide a tax credit for the purchase of certain fuel-efficient, ultra low-emission motor vehicles, equal to 10% of the price paid for the vehicle.

AB 2807 / SB 2045

• Signed by Governor 6/30/08
• Delays the phase-out schedule of transitional energy facility assessment unit rate surcharges on energy sales

AB 2854

• Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee 5/22/08
• Would provide tax credits of up to 4 percent of the allowable costs necessary to retrofit an existing building to meet green building standards.

AB 2918

• Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee 6/12/08
• Would establish a Smart Grid Pilot Program and Smart Grid Technology Research Center at Rutgers University, which would evaluate whether and to what extend the deployment of smart grid technology can yield various benefits.

AB 2927

• Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee 6/5/08
• Would require the Board of Public Utilities to establish an Energy Efficiency Leadership awards program that would recognize three State agencies, departments, divisions, institutions, or offices that develop and implement innovative projects that result in a measurable reduction in overall energy usage. Award would be granted annually.

AB 2985

• Referred to Assembly State Government Committee 6/16/08
• Bill would require the State to purchase, or replace low roll resistant vehicle tires and low viscosity motor oils and lubricants to minimize fuel usage.

AB 2987

• Referred to Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee 6/16/08
• Bill would direct the Department of Transportation to study and report on implementation of truck stop electrification systems to reduce truck idling and fuel usage.

AB 2993

• Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee 6/16/08
• Bill would require the Board of Public Utilities to establish an incandescent light bulb replacement program to create incentives for the replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, or other bulbs that conserve energy. Also would make information available concerning the proper recycling methods for compact fluorescent light bulbs.

AB 3022

• Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee 6/19/08
• Bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of Energy Star home heating equipment, including furnaces, boilers, and programmable thermostats.

AB 3023

• Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee 6/19/08
• Would require every new vehicle purchased by the state starting in the fiscal year beginning in 7 years, to be a fuel efficient vehicle, alternative fuel vehicle, alternative technology vehicle, flexible fuel vehicle, fuel efficient low emission vehicle, or a vehicle certified to meet the California Air Resources Board ultra low emissions, super ultra low emissions, or zero emissions vehicle requirement.

AB 3025

• Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee 6/19/08
• Bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption for the sale of Energy Star-qualified lighting and appliances, including light bulbs, fixtures, and home appliances.

SB 1537

• Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 3/17/08
• Would establish procedures for governmental entities wanting to enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract.

SB 1550

• Referred to Senate Transportation Committee 4/07/08
• Would exempt all hybrid vehicles and vehicles that have a fuel economy of at least 35 miles per gallon from the sales and use tax.

SB 1765

• Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 5/08/08
• Would provide sales and use tax exemption for sales of Energy Star-certified home heating equipment.

SB 1778

• Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 5/08/08
• Would provide sales and use tax exemption for sales of Energy Star-certified residential lighting and appliances.

SB 1932

• Scheduled for Preliminary Action in the Senate Economic Growth Committee 6/9/08
• Bill would authorize the Board of Public Utilities to use revenue from retail margin assessed on certain customer classes to benefit only those customer classes by supporting development of combined heat and power, energy efficiency and demand response projects.

SB 1954

• Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 6/9/08
• Would require that no new vehicle can be purchased by the State unless it is an alternative fuel, alternative technology, hybrid and fuel efficient vehicle.

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New Mexico

SB 9, 2^nd Special Session

• Introduced to Senate 8/15/08
• Bill would appropriate $5 million for the New Mexico mortgage finance authority to provide for a residential energy conservation program to increase the energy efficiency and reduce energy expenditures of homes occupied by low-income persons.

SB 10, 2^nd Special Session

• Introduced to Senate 8/15/08
• Bill would appropriate $2.5 million for the New Mexico mortgage finance authority to create and implement a residential energy efficiency improvement loan program for low- and moderate-income households whose incomes are no more than 120% of the area median income.

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New York

AB 3414

• Delivered to Governor 9/15/08
• Would provide grants to research entities for research that promotes new technologies to avoid, abate, mitigate, capture and/or sequester carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including methods and processes to further reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency by commercial, agricultural and residential entities.

AB 7171

• Signed by the Governor 8/5/08
• Establishes net energy metering for non-residential solar electric generating systems

AB 7335

• Delivered to Governor 9/15/08
• Would establish the State Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act to provide privity in public funding for projects which use, maintain or improve existing infrastructure and which protect and preserve natural resources. The bill also would establish smart growth public infrastructure criteria and would authorize a state infrastructure agency to create a smart growth advisory committee.

AB 9534

• Enacting Clause Stricken in Assembly Committee on Ways and Means 4/30/08
• Would extend an income tax credit for 50 percent of costs incurred on the replacement or renovation of an existing Energy Star home heating system.

AB 10210

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means 3/10/08
• Bill would amend state tax law by exempting vehicles certified as low-emission and energy-efficient by the US EPA from taxes in or by any city having a population of one million or more.

AB 10238

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Economic Development 3/11/08
• Bill would create the Dairy Farm Improved Energy Efficiency Program which will provide grants and low interest loans to dairy farms for energy efficiency projects and advanced energy technologies.

AB 10262

• Referred to Senate Rules Committee 6/19/08
• Bill would amend the Environmental Conservation Law to establish the Replacement Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information program for passenger cars and light-duty trucks.

AB 10303

• Referred to Senate Environmental Conservation Committee 4/15/08
• Bill would establish a greenhouse gas emissions cap in New York equal to 80 percent below current emissions by 2050, starting with a 2.3 percent reduction in 2015 and increasing by an additional 2.3 percent each subsequent year.

AB 10447 / SB 7547

• Referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications 4/10/08
• Would exempt low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles from retail sales and compensating use taxes.

AB 10514

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Governmental Operations 4/8/08
• Bill would create a State Workforce Fuel Reduction and Conservation Program, which would develop and assist in the implementation of strategies to reduce gasoline consumption by the state’s fleet of motor vehicles.

AB 10638

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation 4/21/08
• Bill would establish a Sustainable Transportation Policy Task Force to provide recommendations on improving environmental quality and sustainability planning as they relate to transportation policy, including the development of a variable toll structure that would take into account a vehicle’s fuel efficiency, emissions rating, wear and tear on roads, and other factors.

AB 10684

• Became SB 8134

AB 10885

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Corporations Authorities Commissions 5/7/08
• Bill would establish a smart grid system in New York that allows real-time, two-way communications between electric utilities and their distribution grid and customers, facilitiating real-time demand response pricing.

AB 10937

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Energy 5/7/08
• Would specify that the Public Service Commission has the authority to require utilities to use of time of use rates when the Commission deems it to be in the public interest.

AB 11149

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Transportation 5/20/08
• Would provide owners of vehicles with fuel economies of at least 35 highway miles per gallon a ten percent discount on tolls.

AB 11218

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means 5/22/08
• Would provide a tax credit of $300 for the purchase of three or more Energy Star appliances from 2009-2015.

AB 11285

• Amended and Referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means 6/16/08
• Would provide a sales tax exemption through 2014 on the purchase of Energy Star qualified clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, freezers, programmable-thermostats, and ventilating fans.

AB 11286

• Amended and Referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means 6/16/08
• Would grant a sales tax exemption for the purchase of Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs.

AB 11289

• Referred to Senate Committee on Rules 6/19/08
• Would expand the list of energy consuming products that are subject to energy efficiency performance standards to include bottle-type water dispensers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, portable electric spas, residential furnaces, main air circulating fans, and water dispensers.

AB 11290

• Reported out of Assembly Energy Committee and Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee 5/27/08
• Would change the state energy conservation construction code to require that energy conservation techniques be “reasonable” rather than “economically reasonable.” Would require the energy code to apply to any subsystem of a building undergoing a renovation, not just a renovation of at least 50% of a building subsystem, and would remove a requirement that the Energy Code must be cost effective within 10 years.

AB 11302

• Amended and Referred to Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation 6/17/08
• Would establish the New York State Climate Change Task Force, to conduct an in-depth examination of issues related to global climate change. The Task Force would be required to develop a climate change action plan.

AB 11577

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Corporations Authorities Commission 6/13/08
• Would require NYSERDA and other state electric and gas utility stakeholders to establish a plan to promote increased residential use of energy efficient modalities among customers by December 1, 2008.

AB 11587 / SB 8557

• Set on the Assembly Debate List 6/24/08; Referred to Senate Committee on Rules 6/17/08
• Would require an annual comprehensive study of the state’s energy needs and an analysis of the emerging regional energy markets in the state.

AB 11588

• Passed Assembly and referred to Senate Committee on Rules 6/18/08
• Would require NYSERDA to develop energy efficient, accurate and reliable retail petroleum pumps or dispensing devices and the appropriate testing equipment and protocols to ensure accuracy and reliability.

AB 11590

• Passed Assembly and referred to Senate Committee on Rules 6/18/08
• Would establish a windfall recapture tax on oil importers equal to four percent times the excess of the average retail sales price of motor fuel over two dollars, windfall profits tax imposed on major oil companies equal to two percent of their gross receipts allocated to the state. Pass-through of the tax to consumers would be prohibited.

AB 11708 / SB 8707

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Energy 6/19/08; Referred to Senate Committee on Rules 6/23/08
• Would require that consumer audio and video products purchased by or for state agencies meet the gold standard set forth in the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool.

AB 11750

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means 6/21/08
• Would change the hybrid vehicle income tax credit so that the amount of the credit is based on the average fuel economy for the latest available model year. The credit is offered until 2010.

AB 11780

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Economic Development 7/2/08
• Would authorize the Urban Development Corporation and the Empire State Development Corporation to create an Empire Revolving Bridge Loan Fund to be financed by the issuance of bonds or notes to provide short-term financing for large-scale, innovative economic development projects, including clean energy research and development enterprises, that are projected to cost at least $20 million.

AB 11793

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Governmental Operations 7/2/08
• Would give the Governor of New York the authority to regulate the temperature of air conditioning in any municipal building to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

AB 11818 / SB 8257

• Referred to Assembly Committee on Corporations Authorities Commissions 7/2/08; Amended and Referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications 5/19/08
• Would create the North Country Power Authority, a public benefit corporation that would, among other responsibilities, investigate, implement and integrate conservation and energy efficiency measures and equipment to reduce power demand and usage.

SB 6944

• Passed Senate and referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means6/24/08
• Would exempt Energy Star qualified appliances, including clotheswashers, dishwashers, refrigerators, room air conditioners, ceiling fans,dehumidifiers, freezers, programmable thermostats, and ventilating fans with asales tax exemption until 2013.

SB 6945

• Sent to Senate Committee on Rules 6/24/08
• Would exempt Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs with a salestax exemption through 2013.

SB 8134

• Delivered to Governor 9/15/08
• Would authorize NYSERDA to create and administer a green residentialbuilding program designed to promote smart growth and smart site planning,reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve energy efficiency and reduce energyconsumption, facilitate the incorporation of environmentally responsibleproducts, promote the efficient use of natural resources, promote theconservation of materials and resources, reduce waste and create a healthyindoor living environment. NYSERDA is also authorized to provide for and awardincentive payments to the owners of new or renovated green buildings. Forresidential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer, the incentive will be$3.75 per square foot of qualified space (max 2,000). For residentialbuildings with more than two but less than six dwelling units, qualified squarefootage maxes at 3,000, and for buildings with more than six dwelling units at4,000.

SB 8356

• Became AB 3414

SB 8390

• Referred to Senate Committee on Rules 6/3/08

Would direct the Department ofEnvironmental Conservation to establish a statewide greenhouse gas emissionslimit equal to 2000 levels in 2015, ratcheting down by 2.3% per year until2050, at which time emissions would be 80% below 2000 levels.

SB 8612

• Became AB 7335

SB 8744

• Referred to Senate Committee on Rules 8/7/08
• Would extend the personal income tax credit equal to fifty percent ofthe cost (up to $500) of replacing a home heating system with an Energy Starhome heating system.

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Ohio

EO 2008-06

• Signed by Governor 3/31/08
• Rolls back the residential energy code to the 2003 IECC for one-, two-,and three-family dwellings.

HB549

• Referred to House Committee on Alternative Energy 5/06/08
• Would authorize school boards to enter into installment payment contractsfor cost-effective on-site energy generation and energy conservation measures.

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Oklahoma

SB1604

• Died in Conference 5/23/08
• Would have required the Secretary of Energy to create a state energypolicy and require state agencies with fleets of over ten vehicles to increasefleet-wide fuel efficiency by 50 percent by June 30, 2012.

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Pennsylvania

HB44

• Referred to Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee 9/18/08
• Would prohibit the sale, installation and disposal of mercurythermostats.

HB58

• Referred to House Finance Committee 3/10/08
• Would grant a tax credit, in the amount of 25% of the purchase, to smallbusinesses for the purchase of energy-efficient heat pumps, boilers, buildingenvelope improvements, furnaces or insulation.

HB61

• Referred to House Appropriations Committee 4/15/08
• Would appropriate $15 million to the Department of EnvironmentalProtection to start a rebate program for hybrid vehicles.

HB2577

• Referred to House Labor Relations Committee 6/2/08
• Would establish a Clean and Green Energy Corps that would work topromote energy independence through efforts that decrease energy consumption,employ participants in weatherization and energy efficiency projects forlow-income households, accomplish meaningful and productive improvementsrelating to energy efficiency, and provide training and practical workexperience for young individuals in career fields relating to energyefficiency.

HB2587

• Referred to House Finance Committee 6/4/08
• For the five years following from passage of this policy would exempthybrid vehicles from the sales and use tax.

SB44, 1^st Special Session

• Referred to Senate Committee on Energy Policies 3/13/08
• Would create a business tax credit equal to 50% of the cost of equipmentthat increases a business’ energy efficiency by at least 10 percent. Wouldcreate an residential income tax credit equal to 50% of the cost of “anypollution preventing mechanical product.”

SB1537

• Referred to Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee 8/18/08
• Would establish a Home Energy Assistance Reserve Account to supplementfederal money for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

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Rhode Island

HB 8338

• House Municipal Government Committee Recommended Measure be Held forFurther Study 6/10/08
• Would amend zoning ordinances to promote the conservation of energy andpromote energy-efficient patterns of development, among other things.

SB 2849

• Vetoed by Governor 6/26/08
• Bill would have encouraged and facilitated the creation of commerciallyreasonable long-term contracts between electric distribution companies anddevelopers or sponsors of newly developed renewable energy resources with thegoals of stabilizing long-term energy prices, enhancing environmental quality,creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, and facilitating the financing ofrenewable energy generation within the state.

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South Carolina

HB4766

• Signed by Governor 6/11/08
• Requires each state agency to submit an energy conservation plan withthe goal of reducing energy consumption by at least one percent annually forfive years beginning July 1, 2008.

HB4892 / SB1234

• Passed House 4/29/08; Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 4/30/08
• Would allow a residential homebuilder or contractor to receive a $1,000state income tax credit for each “high-performance” LEED certified homeconstructed.

SB1212

• Referred to Senate Committee on Finance 3/19/08
• Would create a sales tax exemption for qualified Energy Star products,including air conditioners, ceiling fans, clothes washers, dehumidifiers,dishwashers, doors, fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats,refrigerators, skylights, and windows beginning the first Friday in August andending the following Sunday, every year, beginning in 2008.

SB1272

• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on 4/09/08
• Would allow buildings to meet the energy code using an insulation ratingsystem other than R-value, as long as the insulation has an equivalentefficiency.

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Tennessee

SB4254

• Passed Second Consideration 4/21/08
• Would exempt Hamilton County from energy efficiency and life cycle costrequirements that apply to the rest of the state in its purchasing procedures.

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Utah

EO 6

• Released 7/31/08
• Provides that state agencies should ensure optimal use of buildingmechanical and lighting system by implementing plans that include monitoringmonthly energy usage and modifying system operating hours as needed to supportonly the occupied zones in partially used buildings, among other things

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Vermont

HB863

• Signed by Governor 5/28/08
• Will create the Vermont Neighborhoods Initiative, which would award thetitle of “Vermont neighborhood” to certain areas of Vermont that meet orpropose to meet certain goals, including a minimum population density andpedestrian-friendliness of streets. “Vermont neighborhoods” will receivebenefits in the forms of capped fees and a lifting of the land gains tax.

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Virginia

EO69

• Released 6/11/08
• Establishes a Sub-Cabinet on Community Investment, which will encouragethe development of energy-efficient housing, expand the use of innovativebuilding materials, and conserve natural resources.

HB 6006,2^nd Special Session

• Passed House 7/9/08, Defeated in Senate 7/9/08
• Bill would have dedicated all future revenues and royalties paid toVirginia as a result of offshore natural gas and oil drilling to the State’sTransportation Trust Fund.

SB242

• Signed by the Governor on 3/12/08
• Authorizes the Virginia Resources Authority to finance energyconservation and energy efficiency projects.

SB6011, 2^nd Special Session

• Left in Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee7/9/08
• Bill would create a special fund to be known as the Offshore EnergyRevenue Fund, where 40% of the funds raised from the development of offshoreenergy resouces go to the Transportation Trust Fund, 40% for the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay, 10% for the Renewable Electricity Production Grant Fund, and10% to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium.

SB6014, 2^nd Special Session

• Left in Senate Committee on Finance 7/9/08
• Would provide a tax deduction equal to 20% of the sum paid by anindividual for the purchase of Energy Star clothes washers, room airconditioners, dishwashers, and standard size refrigerators. The maximumdeduction an individual could claim would be $500 per year.

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