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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 6, 2007

Illinois Takes A Step Toward Carbon Neutral Buildings by 2030

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/illinois-takes-step-toward-carbon-neutral-buildings-2030/

On June 28, 2007, the Illinois Senate and House approved a joint resolution that adopts a policy that calls for carbon-neutral state buildings by 2030. They are the first state to address this particular green building initiative, a derivative of the Architecture 2030 Challenge, through a legislature. New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson adopted a similar but weaker policy by executive order in January of 2006.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 2, 2007

Washington and Montana Laws Attempt to “Clean Up” Coal Power

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/washington-and-montana-laws-attempt-clean-coal-power/

Laws recently passed by the states of Washington and Montana are creating greenhouse gas emissions standards for new power plants. The two states are relying on different approaches but each has C02 reduction from future coal plants as the primary goal.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 2, 2007

Community Choice Plan Adopted in San Francisco

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/community-choice-plan-adopted-san-francisco/

San Francisco’s Mayor has approved a local power plan that could achieve a 51 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2017. The Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) plan creates an innovative new financial structure using municipal revenue bonds (“H Bonds”) to make San Francisco energy independent and finance construction of a 360 megawatt solar power network and make investments in energy conservation efforts.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 25, 2007

Major Massachusetts Developments Must Estimate GHG Emissions and Offer Mitigation Plan

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/major-massachusetts-developments-must-estimate-ghg-emissions-and-offer-mitigation-plan/

In late April 2007, a new policy was put in place in Massachusetts that requires certain developers to "quantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by proposed projects and identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate such emissions" The policy applies to developments requiring an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that need an air quality permit, receive state funding or generate a significant number of new vehicle trips.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2007

London: Making Motorists Pay for Their Emissions

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/london-making-motorists-pay-their-emissions/

London Mayor Ken Livingstone wants to further reduce the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by making motorists take financial responsibility for their own emissions. The first approach set to begin in February 2008 is the establishment of a Low Emissions Zone. The second approach still under debate would modify the current congestion fee by establishing an Emissions Influenced Charging Structure.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2007

Legislation Authorizes Washington’s Public Utilities to Buy Carbon Offsets

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/legislation-authorizes-washingtons-public-utilities-buy-carbon-offsets/

On May 7th, Washington’s Governor signed a new law that effectively reverses a January 2007 Washington Supreme Court decision. The State Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Seattle municipal utility could not purchase carbon offsets with ratepayer money. This case originated from ratepayers that were protesting Seattle City Light’s purchases of carbon offsets to counter the utility’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 23, 2007

Los Angeles Uses Municipal Utility For GHG Reduction Targets

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/los-angeles-uses-municipal-utility-ghg-reduction-targets/

In mid-May, Los Angeles’ Mayor announced a new climate change action plan that calls for the LA municipal utility to increase its renewable energy portfolio to reach 35 percent by 2020. This in combination with about 50 other proposed actions will work to reduce GHG emissions in the city of angels to 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 10, 2007

California Solar Advocates and Legislature Working to Fix TOU Rate Disincentive

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/california-solar-advocates-and-legislature-working-fix-tou-rate-disincentive/

Responding to concerns and evidence put forward by solar power companies and advocates, Governor Schwarznegger has pledged to fix a flaw in California’s Solar Initiative that has caused a reported 78 percent drop off in proposed photovoltaic installations in the state.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 9, 2007

Encouraging Energy Conservation Through Inverted Rates – Iowa Utility Tries New Approach

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/encouraging-energy-conservation-through-inverted-rates-iowa-utility-tries-new-approach/

In early April 2007, Waverly Light and Power’s Board of Trustees approved a new residential rate structure designed to encourage energy conservation by charging customers higher rates as more electricity is used. This "inverted" rate is going into effect only during four summer months beginning July 1, 2007.

WLP, a municipally-owned utility with about 4,500 customers, experiences the highest demand for electricity during summer and is hoping that this program leads to decreased demand for power. The rate structure after July will look like this:

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 9, 2007

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance Standard for Power Plants – California

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions-performance-standard-power-plants-california/

In January 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) adopted an interim Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) in an effort to help mitigate climate change.

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