State Senate passes 2 bills to encourage clean energy

The state Senate approved two measures Monday that create incentives for homeowners and businesses to invest in clean energy technology.
The bills — sponsored by Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, who represents much of the Charlottesville area — now head to the House of Delegates, where they face an uncertain future.
One bill, SB 1212, would allow local governments to establish a pot of money they can loan out at low rates to residents, business owners and homebuilders interested in upgrading or building a property with energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy devices.

For example, a homeowner would be allowed to borrow the money needed to buy solar panels or wind-powered electrical generators. The homeowner would then make payments on the loan when paying property taxes. The loan would stay with the house should the homeowner decide to move.
The measure was overwhelmingly approved Monday in a 38-1 vote. Only Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, voted against the bill.
The idea behind the bill originated with Charlottesville’s City Council, which asked Deeds to carry the legislation. Shortly thereafter, Albemarle County asked to be added to the bill. And the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties soon requested that the bill be amended to include every local government in Virginia.
“It’s gone viral, which is great to see,” said Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris. “It will allow local government to take a lead role in building a new energy future in our commonwealth — all without taking one dime of state money.”
Deeds’ other measure, SB 1216, would exempt clean energy technology from the state’s sales tax. The bill, which passed unanimously, would eliminate the sales tax on photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems and wind-powered electrical generators bought for residential properties.
Deeds introduced the bill at the request of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, as part of Kaine’s Renew Virgin-ia initiative that aims to promote clean energy and create green jobs.

According to its financial impact statement, the measure would reduce the state’s sales tax revenue by $321,804 in fiscal 2010. That figure is projected to grow slightly over the next five years, totaling $391,155 in 2015.
“If we’re going to be green, if we’re going to reduce our carbon footprint, then we’ve got to get creative about coming up with these types of incentives,” Deeds said.
Deeds’ two clean energy bills that won approval Monday in the Democratic-controlled Senate must now win the endorsement of the GOP-majority House of Delegates. Deeds said he is optimistic but unsure if they will pass. “I’ll be quite honest,” he said. “I’ve seen bills passed in the Senate without any opposition go on to get killed in a House subcommittee.”
Deeds’ two bills would likely benefit the environment, as well as Virginia’s emerging alternative energy industry, said Paul Risberg, founder and owner of AltEnergy Inc., a Charlottesville-based company that sells and installs solar-powered water heating systems.
With more incentives to buy such systems — which generally cost between $7,000 and $8,000 — companies such as AltEnergy Inc. would probably sell more units, thereby sustaining and creating more jobs. “It would certainly be a boon for us. It’d let us lower our prices,” Risberg said. “That would be a very positive step for the state to make.”

Redrawing the districts

Another of Deeds’ bills that won Senate approval Monday would establish a bipartisan commission to redraw Virginia’s voting districts.
Deeds said the bill, which was unanimously approved, would remove politics from the redistricting process Virginia conducts every 10 years. Under the current system, districts are often drawn to protect incumbents and the majority party.
Bipartisan redistricting, backers say, would reduce gerrymandering and encourage more contested elections.
“People, not politicians, should come first in this process,” Deeds said.
Deeds has introduced a similar measure for the last seven consecutive years. This is the third year it has passed in the Senate. Last year it was killed in the House in an unrecorded subcommittee vote.
“Persistence pays off,” Deeds said. “This is a squirrel whose scent I’ve been on for some time. And I’m going to catch it eventually.”
Deeds is one of three Democrats running for governor. His opponents for the party nomination are Brian Moran of Alexandria and Terry McAuliffe of McLean.

Bill would rename bridge

Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County, also saw one of his bills win approval Mon-day in the House of Delegates.
Bell’s bill, HB 2401, would rename the U.S. 29 bridge that crosses the Rapidan River between Greene and Madison counties as the “Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge in honor of Corporal Adam J. Fargo and Private First Class Edwin A. Andino.”
Fargo and Andino were killed in Iraq in 2006. Fargo was a resident of Greene County and a graduate of William Monroe High School. Andino was a Culpeper resident and a graduate of Madison County High School.