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The measure was overwhelmingly approved Monday in a 38-1 vote. Only Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, voted against the bill.
Repeat: Only Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, voted against the bill.
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.
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.”
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Update:
SB 1212 Clean Energy Financing Program; locality may authorize contracts to finance by ordinance.
01/27/09 Senate: Reported from Local Government with substitute (14-Y 1-N)
YEAS--Lucas, Marsh, Quayle, Martin, Hanger, Ticer, Reynolds, Puller, Ruff, Cuccinelli, Herring, Locke, Smith, Stuart--14.
NAYS--Obenshain--1.
ABSTENTIONS--0.
SB 1212 Clean Energy Financing Program; locality may authorize contracts to finance by ordinance.
floor: 02/02/09 Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 1-N)
YEAS--Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Houck, Howell, Hurt, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Norment, Northam, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stolle, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple--38.
NAYS--Obenshain--1.
RULE 36--0.
NOT VOTING--Locke--1.
2 comments:
Obenshain against the entire Virginia Senate? Who's surprised?
Lowell, why don't you make a poll on this and let the Valley members of the House of Delegates know how Valley Voters feel about Obstinate Obenshain's heroic stand against alternate energy and our children's future?
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.
Far short of the Governors original goal - making alt energy installations tax exempt to $8000/year. This legislation will only remove the sales tax from the equipment purchase. Maybe a few hundred dollars. And Obenshain did vote for that one.
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