Noticias
y campañas
de la OCA
en español
Promoting clean energy and smart growth in our communities taps the
public desire to protect the environment, achieve energy independence
and improve the livability of our communities.
* Promoting Alternative Energy: California's AB 32 requires an economy-wide emissions cap for the whole state. Several states have adopted a standard of 25% of electricity to come from renewable energy by 2025. New Hampshire did so through HB 873. Minnesota's 2007 statute requires the Public Utilities Commission to develop criteria and standards for "decoupling" (i.e. giving utility companies incentives to reduce consumer energy use) and authorizes a pilot decoupling program that meets the crieria. Washington State's HB 2420 would establish a carbon tax based on ton of carbon content on the fuel source and motor vehicle fuel with the revenue collected going into a climate action fund to support measures that reduce greenhouse gases emissions.
* Clean Cars: Though the EPA might not want to regulate greenhouse gases, almost twenty states have adopted California's greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles. Maryland's SB 103 incorporates the mandated 22% reduction of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by the 2012 model year and a 30% reduction by the 2016 model year. Oregon passed HB 2210, which requires gasoline to be blended with ethanol and gives tax incentives for consumers and producers of biofuels.
* Green Buildings: Minimum efficiency standards for appliances in homes is a great way to save energy costs, and in turn, save consumers money with Rhode Island having a minimum efficiency standard for the most appliances. Colorado called for the Office of the State Architect to develop a high building performance building certification program, which reduces the consumption of energy, water and other resources, and all state-assisted facilities must be designed and constructed to achieve this standard. Michigan adopted specific energy efficiency goals that call for a 10% reduction in energy use by the end of 2008 and a 20% reduction in energy use by the end of 2015 for its public buildings. Connecticut provides between $60-$70 million annually to support energy efficiency and energy projects for low-income residents through a $0.003 per kilo-watt surcharge on Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating customers.
* Promoting Smart Growth: The City of Carrollton, Texas, is set to open three mass transit stations in 2010 and has focused on creating a mixed-use, transit oriented development platform for each station. Maryland's smart growth policy supports existing communities and revitalizing them. Massachusetts 40R gives financial incentives for municipalities to adopt "smart growth" zoning plans, which can include inclusionary zoning, to increase the stock of affordable housing.
* Promoting Alternative Energy: California's AB 32 requires an economy-wide emissions cap for the whole state. Several states have adopted a standard of 25% of electricity to come from renewable energy by 2025. New Hampshire did so through HB 873. Minnesota's 2007 statute requires the Public Utilities Commission to develop criteria and standards for "decoupling" (i.e. giving utility companies incentives to reduce consumer energy use) and authorizes a pilot decoupling program that meets the crieria. Washington State's HB 2420 would establish a carbon tax based on ton of carbon content on the fuel source and motor vehicle fuel with the revenue collected going into a climate action fund to support measures that reduce greenhouse gases emissions.
* Clean Cars: Though the EPA might not want to regulate greenhouse gases, almost twenty states have adopted California's greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles. Maryland's SB 103 incorporates the mandated 22% reduction of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by the 2012 model year and a 30% reduction by the 2016 model year. Oregon passed HB 2210, which requires gasoline to be blended with ethanol and gives tax incentives for consumers and producers of biofuels.
* Green Buildings: Minimum efficiency standards for appliances in homes is a great way to save energy costs, and in turn, save consumers money with Rhode Island having a minimum efficiency standard for the most appliances. Colorado called for the Office of the State Architect to develop a high building performance building certification program, which reduces the consumption of energy, water and other resources, and all state-assisted facilities must be designed and constructed to achieve this standard. Michigan adopted specific energy efficiency goals that call for a 10% reduction in energy use by the end of 2008 and a 20% reduction in energy use by the end of 2015 for its public buildings. Connecticut provides between $60-$70 million annually to support energy efficiency and energy projects for low-income residents through a $0.003 per kilo-watt surcharge on Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating customers.
* Promoting Smart Growth: The City of Carrollton, Texas, is set to open three mass transit stations in 2010 and has focused on creating a mixed-use, transit oriented development platform for each station. Maryland's smart growth policy supports existing communities and revitalizing them. Massachusetts 40R gives financial incentives for municipalities to adopt "smart growth" zoning plans, which can include inclusionary zoning, to increase the stock of affordable housing.
