Ben Brouwer - January 08, 2009
Alternative Energy Resources Organization
Back to the Basics: Energy Efficiency First
If you’re like most Montana families, paying utility bills each month is getting harder; you live in a home that could be better insulated; and you’re wondering how to leave a healthy planet for generations to come. Supporting state energy efficiency policies is an important first step.
As the Montana Legislature convenes this week I urge you to convince your state Representative, Senator and Governor to give careful consideration to how best we can make our homes, farms, business and schools more energy efficient.
Our Legislators need to start with the basics: I’m talking about stopping the cold air that gusts around your doors, or breezes through shaky windows. This is about sealing your home in eight inches of new foam insulation. Efficiency means replacing old light bulbs with new fixtures that use a quarter or a tenth the energy.
Investments in energy efficiency will pay back with jobs for the construction industry, a cleaner planet and savings in your pocket. I’d like to offer four policy measures that will put us on the right track.
***
One of our Legislators’ top priorities should be a bill that will put efficiency squarely in the center of our state’s energy policy. 18 other states around the country have already passed and are implementing an Energy Efficiency Standard. We’d like to do the same thing here.
This concept is similar to the successful Renewable Energy Standard which was established here in 2005. It would require utilities to help their customers (that’s you) save money on utility bills by making your home, business or farm more energy efficient. It only requires utilities to help with cost-effective measures.
Many of Montana’s power companies are already taking good steps. NorthWestern Energy and Flathead Electric Cooperative in particular have an extensive range of offerings, including rebates for customers who install insulation, efficient light bulbs and efficient home appliances. An Energy Efficiency Standard would complement the existing programs and allow the utilities to decide how best to further cut energy demand.
The Montana Environmental Information Center, MEIC, is leading this effort.
***
Across the state, local governments are stepping up to combat crippling energy costs. Efforts to make Montana more energy self-reliant and climate friendly are underway in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Red Lodge and Seeley Lake to name a few. This second bill would give cities and counties the tools they need to help you cut your energy costs.
AERO, the Alternative Energy Resources Organization, is supporting a bill sponsored by Representative Brady Wiseman of Bozeman which would allow cities or counties to establish energy improvement districts.
The local jurisdiction could then use its bonding authority to make loans to property owners for the purpose of making energy efficiency retrofits or installing a renewable energy system like a solar panel. Only those property owners involved would be required to pay back the bond.
With the recession and shrinking state budget, Energy Improvement Districts are an innovative way to help property owners finance critical efficiency or renewable energy projects.
***
Just like every Montana household, our schools are struggling to keep up with rising energy costs. This past summer, schools had to again slash funding from educational programs in order to cover energy expenses.
Schools could cut as much as 30 percent from their energy bills each year through energy-efficient improvements to aging buildings. Such improvements can save schools $8 million per year, freeing up funds to be spent where they matter most - educating our students.
Montana lawmakers this year will have the opportunity to help schools and tax payers save money by supporting the Energy Efficient Schools bill sponsored by Representative Wanda Grinde.
Northern Plains Resource Council is spearheading this proven route to reduce local costs.
***
And finally, many Montanans are familiar with the $500 state conservation tax credit that can be used towards measures that improve the efficiency of your home. This year, Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Senator Christine Kaufman of Helena, would raise this credit to $800.
The State of Oregon, tracked the impact of a similar tax credit. Their analysis showed that job creation, new tax revenues, and the increase output in Oregon’s economy paid back more than 100% of the tax credit investments in just one year.
You need to act fast on this one, the first hearing on this bill is Tomorrow, January 9th. Call your senator and ask them to support Senate Bill 37.
These four bills, the Energy Efficiency Standard, Energy Improvement Districts, Energy Efficient Schools, and the Conservation Tax Credit are four good steps that our legislators can take to make Montana more energy self-reliant. Every one of these bills will give jobs to the struggling construction industry, will cut green house gas emissions, and will put money back in your pocket and into your community.
I’m Ben Brouwer for the Alternative Energy Resources Organization. AERO is a grassroots membership organization that's been building communities by linking people with sustainable agriculture and energy solutions for 35 years. If you’d like to get involved with energy policy this legislative session, look us up at www.aeromt.org or call us in Helena at (406) 443-7272.
|
|
