States Moving Ahead of Ohio In Energy Development

[irishbobcat]

States Moving Ahead of Ohio In Energy Development

Oregon Legislative Session Roundup
Environment & Energy:  A united effort on the part of advocates and strong leadership from legislators made this another historic session for environmental protection.
·   Water Management:  Considered one of the most significant environmental bills in a generation, the state will now have a comprehensive, pro-environment water policy [HB 3369].  Highlights of the bill: protects streamflows in the Columbia River for migrating fish; requires environmentally appropriate standards and eligibility requirements for use of state monies on new water storage projects; and for the first time, place statutory protections on peak and ecological river flows, a key determinant of river health.
·   Habitat Conservation:  Three bills will protect Oregon from the costly damage of invasive species with increased fines, mobile check stations and emergency response funds [SB 571, HB 2020, HB 2220].  The state will also designate and develop the first two pilot marine reserves and guide the study of four others along Oregon's coast (HB 3013).
·   Climate & Energy:  While none of the energy legislation passed in the form environmental advocates or the governor would have preferred, the state continued to improve its response to the climate crisis with three bills. SB 79 improves building codes for energy-efficient homes and buildings. SB 101 requires that new power plants are at least as clean as combined-cycle natural gas plants, essentially prohibiting the development of coal-fired power generation in the state, and prohibiting utilities from purchasing long-term contracts for importing such power into Oregon.  Another important step came with the introduction of a low-carbon fuel mandate.  The total life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of gasoline will be reduced 10% by 2020, which will exclude big carbon generators like liquified coal and rainforest-grown biofuels [HB 2186].  HB 2626 sets up energy efficiency programs, including in low-income communities.  Unfortunately, the governor's signature cap-and-trade legislation, SB 80, was killed by lobbyists for large pollutors.
·   Other Victories:  The toxic, and potentially carcinogenic, flame retardant decaBDE will be phased out of household products such as mattresses and computers [SB 596]. In addition, fines for environmental pollution were increased for the first time in more than 30 years, and phosphorous will be banned in automatic dishwasher soap, protecting watersheds.  SB 637 requires that schools adopt integrated pest management plans, helping to reduce children's exposure to pesticides. And, lastly, SB 676 permits the production, trade and possession of industrial hemp commodities and products.  The new law sets up a state-regulated program for farmers to grow industrial hemp which is used in a wide variety of products, including foods, cosmetics, body care, clothing, tree-free paper, auto parts, building materials, and fuels.
Delaware Legislative Session Roundup
Energy and Environment:  A number of bills to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency passed this session:
·   SB 106 requires Delaware's utilities to reduce their energy consumption 15 percent for electricity and 10 percent for natural gas by 2015, one of the most aggressive targets in the country. Delaware joins nineteen other states with similar Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS).
·   SB 59 updates Delaware's building codes to increase energy efficiency requirements for new buildings and promotes the construction of "zero net energy" homes and office buildings, which consume less energy than they generate.
·   S.B 85 will encourage energy efficiency by allowing customers who produce more energy than they use to receive credits on future energy bills.
·   SB 49 and HB 70 encourage the use of renewable energy by removing restrictions on solar roof panels and wind turbines.
·   HB 15 is a plastic bag recycling bill that creates an in-store plastic bag recycling program and also requires stores to make reusable bags, available to customers for purchase.
to receive and send absentee ballot applications, absentee ballots and related forms online. The House passed HB 198 to approve the national popular vote, which unfortunately did not advance further. The bill would have allowed the state to award its electoral votes to the Presidential and vice presidential candidates that receive the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Another bill that made it past the House (HB 117) would have moved school board elections to coincide with the general election, and to redefine term lengths to align each term with a general election, reducing the cost of holding these elections.
·   SB 120 which would have provided Delaware citizens and out-of-state residents working at least 20 hours a week a government-run single payer health care system, sadly did not pass.
New Hampshire Legislative Session Roundup
Environment:  Lawmakers passed a number of bills, including two water ecosystem bills.  HB350 bans the use of phosphorus in all household cleaning products, including dishwashing detergent where it is abundant.  Phosporus is a leading water contaminant and encourages the growth of algae and invasive plant species.  SB134 amends the Comprehensive Shore Land Protection Act to make it more efficient and effective. Some of the changes include lessening the approval time and amount of paperwork required for small projects and creating a single inventory list of all of New Hampshire's water bodies so people don't have to consult several sources.

When will Ohio catch up?
Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party
www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/