Legislative Alert - Help Pass Progressive Energy Bills

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This is an email from Kentucky Resources Council - kyrc.org

ACTION ALERT: PLEASE CONTACT STATE SENATORS TO SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY/ ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGISLATION

Three important bills to support and encourage renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green building have been approved by the Kentucky House and are now in committee in the Senate. Please contact all members of the state Senate by sending an email or electronic letter, addressed to "Dear Senator," to [e-mail] with the request that he distribute it to each Senator. (And tell him thanks!)

Ask the Senators to support HB 2, HB 313, and HJR (House Joint Resolution) 54. Tell them that you support renewable energy and energy efficiency and you believe these bills are important to Kentucky’s future. All three bills passed the House unanimously!

Summary of the bills:

HB 2 – Relates to the promotion of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building. This bill would require newly constructed and renovated state buildings, as well as state leased buildings, to meet high-performance building standards. It provide tax credits for residential and commercial investments in energy efficiency, solar electric, solar water heating, solar space heating, passive solar design, and wind turbines. It authorizes the Kentucky River Authority to promote private investment in hydroelectric generating units on Kentucky River dams under their jurisdiction; directs all public schools to participate in the Ky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools (KEEPS); and directs the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy to study the creation of a Renewable and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, along with a Public Benefits Fund. These two measures are used in other states to drive investment in renewables and efficiency. To learn more, see: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/HB2.htm

HB 313 – Relates to net metering and interconnection of renewable energy generators. Among its provisions, the bills expands the current net metering law to apply to wind, hydro and biomass, in addition to solar; raises the cap for eligible systems to 50 kW; and requires the PSC to create statewide interconnection standards. To read the bill, visit http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/HB313.htm.

HJR 54 - Encourage the Army Corps of Engineers to develop hydroelectric power generators at all suitable federal dams in the Commonwealth. To read the resolution, go to http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/HJ54.htm