The author is State Senator Heath Mello, who represents District 5 in South Omaha and Bellevue.
Addressing energy efficiency and clean energy in Nebraska is both urgent and overdue. Energy efficiency and renewable energy were smart choices for our communities when times were good, and they remain smart choices when times are tough. Building a new clean energy economy in our state will provide jobs and allow government and homeowners to save money while being responsible stewards of the earth.
In 2009, Senator Mello introduced the Nebraska Green Building Advantage Act, a bill that would have created tax incentives for LEED-certified buildings. While this bill did not advance in the Legislature, Mello returned this session with a full slate of clean energy bills. He has introduced six bills that focus on the clean energy economy:
• LB 977 - Require new state buildings and renovations to comply with energy efficiency standards
• LB 978 - Provide requirements relating to energy star-certified appliances in the state's competitive bidding process
• LB 997 - Require cities' comprehensive plans to include an energy element
• LB 1098 - Enable municipalities to create sustainable energy financing districts that establish Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs.
• LB 1099 - Authorize the establishment of an expanded, voluntary recycling program in cities of the metropolitan class
• LB 1100 - Allow operation of low-speed vehicles on highways as prescribed
LB 1098 will make it more affordable for property owners to make energy retrofits to their homes and businesses. By allowing property owners to pay for energy retrofits via their property tax bill over a period of years, homeowners and businesses will save money on utilities and encourage a market for services and products related to energy retrofits. That market will in turn lead to new jobs in the clean energy sector.
“States and communities need to look at meaningful long-term solutions to emerge from this fiscal crisis,” said Mello. “Now is the time to take action and pursue a different course for Nebraska. The legislation I have proposed is good for the earth, good for our pocketbooks and creates jobs. We have a unique opportunity and we need to take full advantage of it.”
As a member of the Coalition of Legislators for Energy Action Now (CLEAN), Mello was recently invited to the White House to discuss the clean energy economy.
“It was an extraordinary opportunity to meet with White House officials and other legislators who are committed to growing the clean energy economy,” he said. “Clean energy is a growing and increasingly bi-partisan issue, and Nebraska can either stay ahead of the curve, or play catch-up in the years to come.”
Mello is a member of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and sits on the Council for State Governments-Midwest Legislative Conference, Energy Committee and Economic Development Committee.
Addressing energy efficiency and clean energy in Nebraska is both urgent and overdue. Energy efficiency and renewable energy were smart choices for our communities when times were good, and they remain smart choices when times are tough. Building a new clean energy economy in our state will provide jobs and allow government and homeowners to save money while being responsible stewards of the earth.
In 2009, Senator Mello introduced the Nebraska Green Building Advantage Act, a bill that would have created tax incentives for LEED-certified buildings. While this bill did not advance in the Legislature, Mello returned this session with a full slate of clean energy bills. He has introduced six bills that focus on the clean energy economy:
• LB 977 - Require new state buildings and renovations to comply with energy efficiency standards
• LB 978 - Provide requirements relating to energy star-certified appliances in the state's competitive bidding process
• LB 997 - Require cities' comprehensive plans to include an energy element
• LB 1098 - Enable municipalities to create sustainable energy financing districts that establish Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs.
• LB 1099 - Authorize the establishment of an expanded, voluntary recycling program in cities of the metropolitan class
• LB 1100 - Allow operation of low-speed vehicles on highways as prescribed
LB 1098 will make it more affordable for property owners to make energy retrofits to their homes and businesses. By allowing property owners to pay for energy retrofits via their property tax bill over a period of years, homeowners and businesses will save money on utilities and encourage a market for services and products related to energy retrofits. That market will in turn lead to new jobs in the clean energy sector.
“States and communities need to look at meaningful long-term solutions to emerge from this fiscal crisis,” said Mello. “Now is the time to take action and pursue a different course for Nebraska. The legislation I have proposed is good for the earth, good for our pocketbooks and creates jobs. We have a unique opportunity and we need to take full advantage of it.”
As a member of the Coalition of Legislators for Energy Action Now (CLEAN), Mello was recently invited to the White House to discuss the clean energy economy.
“It was an extraordinary opportunity to meet with White House officials and other legislators who are committed to growing the clean energy economy,” he said. “Clean energy is a growing and increasingly bi-partisan issue, and Nebraska can either stay ahead of the curve, or play catch-up in the years to come.”
Mello is a member of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and sits on the Council for State Governments-Midwest Legislative Conference, Energy Committee and Economic Development Committee.
posted by ktorpy @ 4:28 PM
