Majority Leader Rocky Adkins' Energy Efficiency Bill
Becomes Law
Frankfort, KY: Majority Leader Rocky Adkins joined Governor Steve Beshear as he signed House Bill 2 into law. Rep. Adkins said that House Bill 2 "builds upon the sound energy policy direction that was started with the passage of House Bill 1 in the 2007 special session last summer. This bill will expand our footprint in energy efficiencies, conservation initiatives, and renewable energy solutions."
Specifically, House Bill 2:
- Establishes high performance buildings standards and timeframes for state-funded construction, and require that by 2018, state-leased buildings meet those same standards.
- Appoints a High-performance Buildings Advisory Committee of 14 people representing Finance and Administration and Commerce Cabinets, Council on Postsecondary Education, the Governor's Office of Energy Policy, Department of Education. The committee also would have someone from UK's School of Architecture, Kentucky Forest Industries Association, American Institution of Architecture, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers and others involved in the energy efficiency construction industry.
- House Bill 2 Provides
- Residential Energy Efficiency Kentucky Income Tax Credits for a percentage of installed costs of upgraded insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, geo thermal technology and heating and cooling systems;
- Commercial Property Energy Efficiency State Income Tax Credits for a percentage of installed costs of energy-efficiency interior lighting systems and HVAC systems;
- Energy Star Home and Manufactured Home Credits for purchasers and owner-builders of ENERGY STAR homes.
House Bill 2- Helps boards of education conserve more of their funding for instructional and other purposes by requiring enrollment in the Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program, offered by U of L's Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center.
- Directs the Public Service Commission to consider next-generation residential utility meters when reviewing utility demand management plans.
- Creates incentives for renewable energy by producing energy for sale and/or use from wind, hydro or solar power covering residential, commercial and institutional.
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This would include State Income Tax Credits for a percentage of installed costs of active and passive solar space heating systems, solar water heating systems, wind turbines, and solar photovoltaics systems
- Changes the statutory mandate of the Kentucky River Authority to consider projects similar to other locks and dams on the river.
- Calls on the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy to develop a report and recommendations on adoption of a requirement for a renewable and energy efficiency portfolio standard from the regulated electric utilities. Such portfolio standards provide targets for utilities to diversify their portfolio of energy strategies.
The study will also produce recommendations on whether and how to create a public or system benefit fund such as that adopted in many states. The House Appropriations and Revenue Chair, Harry Moberly, (D-Richmond), who attended the bill signing, thanked Rep. Adkins for "what I believe is one of the most important pieces of legislation this session."
"House Bill 2 makes our energy policy more sound and comprehensive," said Rep. Adkins. "I know that there is no single bullet in achieving energy independence. But I believe that the policies and incentives contained in House Bill 2 are a forward-looking investment in our economy, our energy future, our communities and our children."
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