Many interesting stories from around the country have made headlines in the first week of 2009. Here’s a brief summary:
California
As of January 1, every new car (2009 model year) sold in California will be required to carry a label that ranks its environmental impact. Each vehicle will be given two scores on a scale of 1-10, a global warming score and a smog score.
"This label will arm consumers with the information they need to choose a vehicle that saves gas, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps fight smog all at once," said California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols
The state’s regulators are also preparing to draft the nation’s first rules concerning power-hungry flat screen TVs. According to a Los Angeles Times report, new regulations could require retailers to sell only the most energy-efficient models, starting in 2011.
Sales of television sets are growing by 4 million a year, and new flat screen models consume one-and-a-half to three times as much electricity as older models.
Oregon
Governor Ted Kulongoski is proposing a program that would require all buildings sold in the state to be tested and rated for energy efficiency. According to GreenBuildingElements.com, the plan would take effect in 2011 for houses and 2012 for commercial buildings. The idea behind the plan is to incentivize energy efficiency, by making it a greater part of the buying decision.
Michigan
Governor Jennifer Granholm signed off on a package of bills recommended by the state’s Renewable Fuels Commission. The new laws create five additional renewable energy renaissance zones, a Renewable Fuels Fund, and tax incentives for equipment capable of harvesting biomass and the conversion of existing gasoline pumps to disperse ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels.
She also signed legislation to expand job training opportunities in high-demand fields. The bills allows the state’s community colleges to tailor job training to meet the needs of employers in their regions, and is expected to benefit the wind industry.
Florida
City commissioners in Gainesville have endorsed a proposal from Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) to offer the nation’s first solar photovoltaic electric feed-in-tariff (FIT) program.
Under the program, participants will invest in their own PV systems to generate electricity and sell the power directly to GRU under a contract for 20 years at a rate of $0.32 per kWh. Launch of the program is scheduled for March 1, 2009.
Texas
The Public Utilities Commission in Texas released a report showing that the state could reduce electric usage by 23% if utilities invest more in efficiency measures. The reductions could save Texans as much $11.9 billion on their electric bills.
In 1999, Texas became the first state to pass an energy efficiency resource standard. But, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, today Texas ranks 25th in the nation for utility spending on efficiency. Texas also consumes more electricity than any other state in the nation.
Have you heard of others? Your comments are welcomed below.
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