Consumers Educators Policy Alliance Associates Media Energy Professionals Contributors Alliance Events e-FFICIENCY NEWS

Newsletter Subscription
Sign up to receive Alliance email newsletters!

March 2005 State Energy Efficiency Bulletin

March 2005
Newsletter Contents:

Guest Highlight
Alecia Ward of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance challenges Wisconsin to reclaim its leadership role in energy efficiency.

Alliance to Save Energy Column
Illinois' Blueprint for Clean, Green, Efficient Energy

State Updates
Legislative and Regulatory News from Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.

RECA Report
Get the latest on the work of the Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA).

The Alliance Wants to Hear from You!
Contact us with suggestions or comments.

Click here to subscribe to the State Energy Efficiency Policy Bulletin

View Archives

Several Steps Back: Wisconsin Cuts Energy Efficiency Funding by 40%
By Alecia Ward

Last April I challenged our Midwest policy makers to step up and make the benefits of energy efficiency investments a reality in their state. I am disappointed to report that Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin has not stepped up and has actually taken a big step backwards. He has proposed to cut nearly half of the designated funding for the state’s primary avenue for energy efficiency, the Focus on Energy program. His 2005 – 2007 biennium budget would reduce funding for Focus on Energy from $62 million per year to about $36 million—an annual cut of about $26 million.

From the standpoint of the health of the state’s economy, this is the worst possible place to reduce public investment. Wisconsin already is facing steadily rising energy prices and the prospect of building several large new power plants continues to loom. Governor Doyle and the state’s legislators cannot afford to shortchange energy efficiency, which is the only near-term answer to these problems—plus it is a solution that provides major economic benefits to the state.

As documented in rigorous evaluations performed by PA Government Services, the Focus on Energy program “produces jobs, increases personal income, and overall makes the Wisconsin economy more efficient and competitive.” During the first 14 months of its existence, the fund created more than 1000 full time equivalent job years in Wisconsin, and it stopped over 375,000 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the air. Focus on Energy is a smart energy policy, which yields roughly $3 of benefits to Wisconsin citizens for every dollar spent on the program.

Lacking any fossil fuel reserves of its own, Wisconsin must import 100 percent of the oil, natural gas and coal it consumes. This results in a huge dollar drain on the state’s economy, as consumers and businesses send over $10 billion per year out of the state to import energy. Investing in energy efficiency keeps more money in consumers’ pockets and in local economies. Cutting the Focus on Energy budget will only add to the dollar drain Wisconsin is already experiencing.

Investing in the Focus on Energy program also has the potential to address the natural gas crisis facing Wisconsin. Reducing demand for natural gas through energy efficiency helps bring natural gas prices down. A recent American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy study shows that reducing electricity and natural gas demand by about 2% could drive natural gas prices down by as much as 20%.

Wisconsin has been the Midwest model for energy efficiency programs and spending, but drastic cuts to energy efficiency funding in the past two state budgets have tarnished the state’s reputation. In fact, last September, MEEA turned instead to Minnesota as an example of Midwest leadership on energy efficiency. At our annual award ceremony, we honored Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty for his commitment to energy efficiency and his support for improving the Minnesota Conservation Improvement Program (CIP).

In 2003, Governor Doyle commissioned a bipartisan Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables to restore Wisconsin as a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, with the goal of reducing Wisconsin’s dependence on out-of-state energy and helping to save ratepayers money. Their recommendations, which received unanimous support from task force members, including Republican and Democratic legislators, electric utilities, business associations, organized labor, consumer groups, and environmental organizations, call for strengthening the Focus on Energy program and restoring funding to the levels established by the 1999 Wisconsin Act 9. Governor Doyle has urged legislators to begin adopting these recommendations, but their benefits cannot be fully realized without adequately funding the Focus on Energy program.

Wisconsin can and must do better. I renew my challenge to Governor Doyle and the state legislature to STEP UP and reclaim their leadership role. Restore full funding for Focus on Energy and take the next steps towards fully implementing the recommendations of the Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables. Only then will Wisconsin regain its status as the Midwest’s leader in energy efficiency.

Back to the Top

Illinois' Blueprint for Clean, Green, Efficient Energy
By Anna Carmichael and Steve Capanna

Will Illinois be the next state leader in energy efficiency? If Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) has his way, the state will soon adopt his Sustainable Energy Plan, which would increase the generation of renewable energy and reduce energy consumption through increased efficiency. The Governor’s plan would make Illinois the second state in the nation to adopt an Energy Efficiency Performance Standard (EEPS) – Texas having been the first state -- and the nineteenth state to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

The Governor’s Sustainable Energy Plan was submitted in mid-February to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which is similar to most state’s Public Utility Commissions. The ICC is currently holding stakeholder meetings, and if all goes according to plan, the ICC could adopt the plan as early as May 1.

The proposed EEPS would require utilities in Illinois to reduce their energy consumption by a certain percentage each year. The plan calls for a 10% reduction of the projected annual electricity load growth from 2006-2008; 15% from 2009-2011; 20% from 2012-2014; and, 25% from 2015-2017. Utilities could meet the reduction goals through a variety of residential, commercial and industrial programs.

If adopted, the Sustainable Energy Plan could generate more than $2 billion in investments in Illinois, creating about 2,000 construction jobs and hundreds of permanent jobs. According to the Governor, the energy efficiency portion of this plan “will slow the growth of [Illinois’] energy use, help lower energy bills for businesses and families across Illinois…[and] will help prevent blackouts by taking pressure off the grid.”

The Sustainable Energy Plan is supported by a diverse set of constituents. Along with environmental and consumer organizations, two of the state’s largest utility companies, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Corporation, have expressed strong support for the plan. The Alliance to Save Energy commends both the Governor and the broad coalition of energy advocates who are working to create a clean and efficient energy future for Illinois.

Colorado
House Bill 1290 Second Reading Referred to Appropriations 3/1/05

HB 1290 would extend the income tax credit for the purchase of certain alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) and would exempt AFVs operated on publicly financed toll highways from paying tolls.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 1 Introduced in House & Assigned to Transportation & Energy 3/1/05

SB 1 would require utilities to collect an energy assistance charge from each electric and gas customer beginning January 1, 2006. Customers can choose not to pay the charge. The money collected would transfer to Energy Outreach Colorado, to pay utilities on behalf of qualified individuals for low income energy assistance.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 1133 passed House Second Reading on 3/1/05

HB 1133 would authorize local governments to require investor-owned electric and gas utilities to collect an energy efficiency surcharge from customers and to direct the revenue into programs that promote the installation of cost-saving measures. It would also direct the public utilities commission (PUC) to adopt rules for distributors of natural gas to engage in conservation and energy efficiency programs, and require periodic reports subject to PUC review and approval.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 1162 Passed the House and the Senate

HB 1162 would adopt statutory energy-efficiency standards for certain household appliances, commercial equipment and traffic signals sold in Colorado on or after January 1, 2008 or installed in Colorado on or after January 1, 2009.

Click here for more information

Connecticut
Senate Bill 1162 Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology 2/23/05

SB 1162 would require windows in public school construction projects to be highly energy efficient.

Click here for more information.

Florida
Senate Bill 140 Introduced and referred to Environmental Preservation, Judiciary and General Government Appropriations Committees, 3/8/05

SB 140 would establish minimum efficiency standards for six appliances; would specify minimum efficiency levels for those standards; and would set deadlines for implementation of the standards.

Click here for more information.

Georgia
House Bill 559 Committee on Ways & Means Favorably Reported 3/4/05

HB 559 would exempt certain energy efficient products from state sales and use taxes for a limited period of time.

Click here for more information.

Hawaii
Senate Bill 998 Passed Second Reading and Referred to Senate Ways & Means Committee 2/17/05

SB 998 would require the incorporation of Leadership in Energy in Environmental Design (LEED) gold standards for buildings constructed or substantially renovated with funding consisting of fifty per cent or more in state funds.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 1427 Referred to House Energy & Environmental Protection, House Finance, on 3/10/05

SB 1427 would require governmental bodies to procure high energy efficient vehicles when purchasing motor vehicle fleets.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 1714 Passed Second Reading, as Amended and Referred to Senate Ways & Means

SB 1714 would define seawater air conditioning (SWAC) as a renewable energy, would require the use of SWAC cooling in state facilities where feasible, and would require, where feasible, construction bids for state facilities to include this technology.

Click here for more information.

Illinois
House Bill 2585 Rereferred to Rules Committee 3/10/05

HB 2585 would create the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Act which would provide minimum efficiency standards for nine appliances.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 513, Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading and was given a Do Pass recommendation by the Revenue Committee, 3/17/05

SB 513 would create a tax holiday from the Use Tax and Retailers’ Occupation Acts for Energy Star appliances purchased from April 22 of 2006 or 2007 through April 28 of the same year and would authorize and encourage units of local government that impose use and occupation taxes to declare similar tax holidays.

Click here for more information.

Iowa
House Bill 606 (Senate Bill 104 is the companion bill) Fiscal Note released 2/24/05. The bills currently reside in the Ways and Means Committees.

HB 164 would provide a sales and use tax exemption for certain EPA Energy Star appliances.

Click here for more information.

Kansas
House Bill 2240 Referred to Utilities, Hearing Scheduled for 2/9/05 on 2/2/05

HB 2240 would require each public utility to invest a certain amount of their gross operating revenue in energy conservation improvements.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 2434 Withdrawn from Taxation; Referred Separately to Utilities, Taxation 2/14/05

HB 2434 would exempt certain energy efficient electric household appliances from the state sales tax.

Click here for more information.

Maine
House Bill 555 Referred to the Committee on Taxation & Ordered Printed, in Concurrence 2/16/05

HB 555 would exempt 100% of the sale or lease price of a new hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel-cell or hydrogen-fueled vehicle from the sales tax. It also would exempt hybrid electric vehicles and fuel-cell or hydrogen-fueled vehicles from the excise tax for the first three model years.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 299 Referred to the Committee on Appropriations & Financial Affairs 2/24/05

SB 299 would issue a bond providing funds in the amount of $100 million to be used to fight global warming through energy conservation.

Click here for more information.

Maryland
House Bill 367 First Reading Judicial Proceedings 2/25/05

HB 367 would reinstate an expired provision exempting qualified hybrid vehicles from emissions testing and inspection requirements.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 490 Hearing held on 3/1/05 (companion Senate Bill 397, Hearing Held on 3/15/05.)

HB 490 would establish an Energy-Saving Investment Program (ESIP) administered by the Maryland Energy Administration. The measure would create an energy-saving investment fund to provide funding for energy efficiency programs and would require specified electric and gas customers to contribute to the fund through an energy-saving investment charge.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 975 Hearing Held on 3/3/05.

HB 975 would reduce the minimum space requirements for specified buildings to be eligible for the green building tax credit from 20,000 to 10,000 square feet. The measure would make the green building tax credit refundable under specified circumstances; would allow an individual or business entity to transfer the tax credits to another individual or business entity under specified circumstances; and, would increase the maximum initial tax credit certificates that the Maryland Energy Administration would be permitted to issue.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 366 Introduced 2/2/05, first hearing held on 2/23/05.

SB 366 would require the Department of the Environment and the Motor Vehicle Administration to adopt regulations by June 1, 2006 to establish a Low Emissions Vehicle program applicable to vehicles of the model year 2009 and thereafter. The measure also would require the Administration and the Department to establish motor vehicle emissions standards and compliance requirements.

Click here for more information.

Minnesota
House Bill 1171Introducted and Referred to Taxes Committee on 2/21/05 ( Senate Bill 1227 is the companion bill, Referred to Taxes 2/24/05)

HB 1171 would exempt certain hybrid vehicles from the motor vehicle sales tax.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 1243 Introduced and Referred to Transportation Committee on 2/22/05.

HB 1243 would allow single-occupant drivers of hybrid vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Click here for more information.

Missouri
House Bill 399 Referred to Utilities Committee 2/10/05

HB 399 would require that the minimum efficiency standard for construction of a state building be at least as stringent as the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001, latest revision.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 122, Second Reading in the Senate took place on 3/2/05

SB 122 would require the Office of Administration to identify and deposit into its revolving trust fund no more than 2.5 percent of the total cost savings realized when the state enters into a guaranteed energy cost savings contract. Subject to appropriation, the Office of Administration may expend the cost savings deposited in the fund to offset all reasonable costs associated with the implementation of future guaranteed energy cost savings contracts.

Click here for more information.

New Jersey
Assembly Bill 516 Signed into Law 3/8/05 – Senate Bill 332 is the Companion Bill

AB 516 creates new efficiency standards for the following new appliances sold, offered for sale or installed in New Jersey: commercial clothes washers, commercial refrigerators and freezers, illuminated exit signs, air-cooled very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers, torchiere lighting fixtures, traffic signal modules and unit heaters.

Click here for more information

New Mexico
House Bill 488 Passed House Appropriations & Finance Committee- Report Adopted 2/18/05

HB 488 would appropriate $200,000 to the department of finance and administration to expand the weatherization assistance program to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy expenditures of homes occupied by low-income persons in New Mexico.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 619 Passed House (60-5) 2/28/05 – companion Senate Bill 644 Passed Senate (36-0) 3/3/05

HB 619 would amend the Public Utility Act (PUA) to encourage utility investment in energy efficiency and load management programs by allowing public utilities to recover, in an expedited manner, reasonable and prudently incurred program expenses.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 644 Withdrawn from House Taxation & Revenue Committee for Subsequent Action 3/10/05; Passed the Senate (36-0) 3/3/05

SB 644 would enact the Efficient Use of Energy Act; would provide for expenditures for energy efficiency and load management by public utilities.

Click here for more information.

New York
House Bill 1846 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Energy Committee 1/21/05

HB 1846 would amend the state energy law as it relates to lighting efficiency standards for existing public buildings by adding “elimination of wasteful artificial night lighting” to the standards.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 1847 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Energy Committee 1/21/05

HB 1847 would expand the type of energy information compiled by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to include energy efficient and environmentally sound outdoor lighting.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 2425 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Transportation 1/26/05

HB 2425 would establish a pilot program to allow for free parking, for a limited time period, on public streets for zero emission vehicles, super ultra low emission vehicles, and hybrid vehicles.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 3227 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Cities 2/1/05 (Companion bill SB 1699 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Senate Cities 2/1/05)

HB 3227 and SB 3227 would provide a personal income tax deduction for home energy conservation expenses.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 4021 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Ways & Means 2/8/05

HB 4021 would establish a business and consumer-based tax credit for the purchase of hybrid vehicles, and would repeal certain provisions of such law relating to qualified hybrid vehicles and the alternative fuels credit.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 4278 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Transportation 2/9/05

HB 4278 would allow single-occupant drivers of hybrid vehicles to travel in high occupancy vehicle lanes.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 4456 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Ways & Means 2/10/05

HB 4456 would establish tax credits for vehicles that meet the clean vehicle standards, and would extend the expiration of the alternative fuels credits. It also would establish tax credits and exemptions for alternative fuel vehicles and refueling property.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 4723 Introduced and Referred to Committee on Assembly Transportation 2/14/05

HB 4723 would prohibit idling of heavy duty vehicles for more than five minutes.

Click here for more information.

North Carolina
Senate Bill 190 Referred to Committee on Finance 2/23/05

SB 190 would provide an income tax for builders and purchasers of energy-efficient homes.

Click here for more information.

Pennsylvania
House Bill 500 Referred to Environmental Resources & Energy 2/16/05

HB 500 would require the Department of Environmental Protection to prepare a report on global warming impacts and economic opportunities; on the greenhouse gases inventory; and, a plan of action on the duties of the Department.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 634 Referred to Finance Committee 2/16/05

HB 634 would exempt certain appliances that meet or exceed the applicable Energy Star efficiency requirements from sales and use taxes.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 290 Referred to Environmental Resources & Energy Committee 2/14/05

SB 290 would create minimum energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and equipment.

Click here for more information.

Rhode Island
House Bill 5307 Scheduled for hearing in the Environment & Natural Resources Committee 3/23/05 – Senate Bill 540 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration in the Financial, Technology & Regulatory Issues Committee 3/22/05 is the companion bill

HB 5307 would set minimum efficiency standards for nineteen appliances.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 5728 Scheduled for hearing in the Health Education & Welfare Committee 3/23/05

HB 5728 would create minimum energy efficiency standards for nine appliances.

Click here for more information.

Tennessee
House Bill 209 Assigned to Environment Committee, Subcommittee Environment of Conservation 2/8/05 – companion Senate Bill 292 Referred to Senate Tax Subcommittee 2/8/05.

HB 209 would exempt hybrid electric vehicles and vehicles meeting the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) standards from the sales and use tax.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 210 Assigned to Subcommittee State Government of State & Local Government Committee 2/7/05

HB 210 would direct the Commissioner of General Services to encourage the acquisition of energy efficient vehicles in the state fleet , and would require that at least 10 percent of the Department's yearly vehicle aquisitions be hybridelectric vehicles or CARB certified vehicles.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 855 Placed on Calendar of the Conservation & Environment Committee for 3/16/05, 3/9/05 - companion Senate Bill 880 Referred to Senate Tax Subcommittee 2/15/05)

HB 855 would exempt hybrid electric vehicles and alternative fueled vehicles that are registered in Tennessee from state sales and use taxes.

Click here for more information.

Texas
House Bill 1156 Referred to Ways & Means Committee 2/17/05

HB 1156 would reduce the rate of the motor vehicle sales and use tax imposed on certain new hybrid motor vehicles.

Click here for more information.

Vermont
House Bill 251 in Natural Resources & Energy Committee 2/15/05

HB 251 would exempt alternative fueled vehicles from the purchase and use tax up- of up to $10,000, and would fund the cost of the exemption through a tax on large engine vehicles.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 253 in Natural Resources & Energy Committee 2/15/05

HB 253 would establish energy efficiency standards for the retail sale of certain appliances.

Click here for more information.

House Bill 370 in Transportation Committee 2/25/05 – companion Senate Bill 120 Referred to Finance Committee 2/23/05

HB 370 would exempt hybrid vehicles from the purchase and use taxes.

Click here for more information.

Washington
House Bill 1062 Third reading passed (80-18) 2/11/05 – Senate Bill 5098 Referred to Water, Energy & Environment Committee 2/15/05 is the companion bill

HB 1062 would create efficiency standards for thirteen appliances.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 5509 Placed on Second Reading by Rules Committee 3/10/05

SB 5509 would require public buildings to be built using high-performance green building standards.

Click here for more information.

Senate Bill 5916 Made Eligible to be Placed on Second Reading 3/9/05

SB 5916 would provide tax incentives for clean and alternative fuel vehicles.

Click here for more information.

Back to the Top

The Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA) continues its work to promote adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In January, RECA and its members were active in Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and North Carolina. States to watch for code developments in the months ahead are Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota and North Carolina.

Click here to visit the RECA website for more information.

privacy statement | feedback | home