April 14, '09

Energy Efficiency Measures We Support in the Texas State Legislature:

Representative Anchia's House Bill 280 sets goals for energy efficiency programs that will reduce peak electricity demand by one percent by 2016 and two percent by 2021. The Senate Business and Commerce Committee recently approved the companion bill, Senate Bill 546 by Senator Fraser. Both bills should to go to the floor soon.

Senator Averitt's Senate Bill 16 establishes new 2009 statewide building codes, energy efficient appliance standards and an Energy Star appliance rebate program;

Representative Strama's House Bill 1391 allows cities and counties to create a loan fund for home owners and businesses to retrofit their homes or businesses to be more energy efficient or to add renewable energy systems such as solar or geothermal power.

Both the House and Senate versions of the State Budget bill include $327 million in stimulus funds for weatherization programs and strict reporting requirements to make sure the money will lead to job creation, energy savings and pollution averted.