Recent Legislation

Florida

HB 7135
Signed by Governor 6/25/08
Comprehensive energy legislation that requires the Florida Energy and Climate Commission to set a framework for a cap-and-trade program aimed at reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Also requires all new state-owned buildings to comply with a nationally recognized green building rating program, strengthens building codes for residential and commercial buildings, and would require the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction to establish minimum requirements for commercial and residential appliances, unless those standards are preempted by federal standards. The bill also would enable utilities to increase rates to pay for efficiency programs for consumers.

HB 670
Signed by Governor on 5/14/08
Creates tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Provides a tax credit of $0.60 per square foot, up to $100,000, for those who purchase residential lighting retrofit projects which result in lowering annual lighting energy consumption by 30 percent below ASHRAE 2004 standards. It also creates a tax credit of $1.80 per square foot, up to $100,000, for those who purchase a single family home or retrofitted building that is certified to exceed ASHRAE 2004 standards by 30 percent.
SB 130
Signed by the Governor on 5/6/08
Amends the Georgia Building Code to allow state funded buildings to be constructed or renovated to exceed ASHRAE 2004 energy efficiency standards by 30 percent, where such efficiency is cost-effective within a payback period of ten years.

SB 351
Signed by Governor 6/30/08
Requires state agencies to purchase only hybrid or alternate fuel vehicles.
SB 809
Signed by Governor 7/9/08
Allows political subdivisions to enter into performance-based energy efficiency contracts for the lesser of twenty years or the average life of the equipment installed by the performance contractor.

HB 2529
Signed by Governor 7/11/08
Extends the legislative commission on global climate change through September 2009.
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 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.

HB4766
Signed by Governor 6/11/08
Requires each state agency to submit an energy conservation plan with the goal of reducing energy consumption by at least one percent annually for five years beginning July 1, 2008.

SB242
Signed by the Governor on 3/12/08
Authorizes the Virginia Resources Authority to finance energy conservation and energy efficiency projects.