Florida Senate - 2009 CS for CS for CS for SB 1154
By the Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means; the
Committees on Environmental Preservation and Conservation; and
Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities; and Senator King
576-05819A-09 20091154c3
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to energy; amending s. 366.92, F.S.;
3 revising definitions and providing additional
4 definitions; requiring that electric utilities meet or
5 exceed specified standards for the production or
6 purchase of clean energy; establishing a schedule for
7 compliance; providing a penalty if a utility fails to
8 meet the standards; authorizing the Public Service
9 Commission to excuse certain electric utilities from
10 compliance under specified conditions; requiring the
11 commission to adopt rules; requiring an annual report
12 to the Legislature; amending s. 366.93, F.S.;
13 authorizing the Public Service Commission to allow a
14 utility to recover the costs of converting an existing
15 fossil fuel plant to a biomass plant under certain
16 conditions; encouraging utilities to pursue joint
17 ownership of nuclear power plants; requiring that
18 certain costs be shared; creating s. 366.99, F.S.;
19 providing a short title; providing legislative
20 findings with respect to the need to reduce greenhouse
21 gas emissions through the direct end-use of natural
22 gas; defining terms; authorizing a utility to
23 establish a surcharge for the purpose of constructing
24 natural gas installations in areas that lack natural
25 gas service; providing limitations on the surcharge;
26 providing procedures for determining the surcharge and
27 making filings to the commission; requiring the
28 commission to conduct limited proceedings to determine
29 the amount of the surcharge; providing for future
30 expiration of provisions authorizing the surcharge;
31 amending s. 377.6015, F.S.; providing that terms for
32 members of the Florida Energy and Climate Commission
33 begin and end on specified dates; amending s. 403.503,
34 F.S.; revising the definition of “electrical power
35 plant”; amending s. 525.09, F.S.; imposing a fee on
36 alternative fuel containing alcohol; requiring the
37 Florida Energy and Climate Commission to prepare a
38 report that identifies ways in which to increase the
39 energy-efficiency practices of low-income households;
40 requiring the report to include certain determinations
41 and recommendations; requiring that the report be
42 submitted to the Legislature by a specified date;
43 providing an effective date.
44
45 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
46
47 Section 1. Section 366.92, Florida Statutes, is amended to
48 read:
49 366.92 Florida clean renewable energy policy.—
50 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the
51 development of clean and renewable energy; protect the economic
52 viability of Florida’s existing renewable energy facilities;
53 diversify the types of fuel used to generate electricity in
54 Florida; lessen Florida’s dependence on natural gas and fuel oil
55 for the production of electricity; minimize the volatility of
56 fuel costs; encourage investment within the state; improve
57 environmental conditions; and, at the same time, minimize the
58 costs of power supply to electric utilities and their customers.
59 (2) As used in this section, the term:
60 (a) “Class I clean energy source” means Florida clean
61 energy resources derived from wind or solar photovoltaic
62 systems.
63 (b) “Class II clean energy source” means clean energy
64 derived from Florida clean energy resources other than class I
65 clean energy sources or class III clean energy sources.
66 (c) “Class III clean energy source” means clean energy
67 derived from nuclear energy or integrated gasification combined
68 cycle for which carbon capture and sequestration plans have been
69 approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.
70 (d) “Clean energy” means electrical energy produced from a
71 method that uses one or more of the following fuels or energy
72 sources: nuclear energy placed in commercial service after July
73 1, 2009, integrated gasification combined cycle for which carbon
74 capture and sequestration plans have been approved by the
75 Department of Environmental Protection, hydrogen produced from
76 sources other than fossil fuels, biomass, solar photovoltaic,
77 geothermal energy, wind energy, ocean energy, or hydroelectric
78 power. The term includes waste heat from sulfuric acid
79 manufacturing operations and waste heat thermal energy which is
80 produced by a combined heat and power system placed in service
81 in this state after July 1, 2009, and which is used to produce
82 biofuel and any associated coproducts.
83 (e) “Combined heat and power system” means a system that
84 simultaneously or sequentially generates electricity and thermal
85 energy from the same primary energy source.
86 (f)(a) “Florida clean renewable energy resources” means
87 clean renewable energy, as defined in s. 377.803, that is
88 produced in Florida.
89 (g)(b) “Provider” means a “utility” as defined in s.
90 366.8255(1)(a).
91 (c) “Renewable energy” means renewable energy as defined in
92 s. 366.91(2)(d).
93 (h)(d) “Clean Renewable energy credit” or “REC” means a
94 product that represents the unbundled, separable, clean
95 renewable attribute of clean renewable energy produced in
96 Florida and is equivalent to 1 megawatt-hour of electricity
97 generated by a source of clean renewable energy located in
98 Florida. For combined heat and power systems placed in service
99 in this state after July 1, 2009, one clean energy credit shall
100 be produced for every 3.412 million British thermal units of
101 waste heat thermal energy used to produce biofuel and any
102 associated coproducts.
103 (i)(e) “Clean Renewable portfolio standard” or “RPS” means
104 the minimum percentage of total annual retail electricity sales
105 by an electric utility a provider to consumers in Florida which
106 is that shall be supplied by clean renewable energy or through
107 the purchase of clean energy credits from clean energy produced
108 in Florida.
109 (3)(a) Each electric utility must meet or exceed the
110 following clean portfolio standards through the production of
111 clean energy or the purchase of clean energy credits:
112 1. By January 1, 2013, 7 percent of the previous years’
113 retail electricity sales;
114 2. By January 1, 2016, 12 percent of the previous years’
115 retail electricity sales;
116 3. By January 1, 2019, 18 percent of the previous years’
117 retail electricity sales; and
118 4. By January 1, 2021, 20 percent of the previous years’
119 retail electricity sales.
120
121 No more than 25 percent of the amount of the clean portfolio
122 standard requirement for each year may be from Class III clean
123 energy sources. For the production or procurement of Class III
124 clean energy, a Florida utility that is a member of the
125 Southeastern Electric Reliability Council may co-own or purchase
126 energy from a Class III clean energy source located in another
127 state and owned by an affiliate in a holding company with multi
128 state dispatch.
129 (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an
130 investor-owned electric utility that fails to meet or exceed its
131 clean portfolio standard is subject to a penalty pursuant to s.
132 366.095 for each day such failure continues, and the penalty may
133 not be recovered from the utility’s ratepayers. No electric
134 utility shall be required to produce or purchase any Class III
135 clean energy, nor be fined or deemed imprudent for not acquiring
136 any energy from a Class III clean energy source in order to
137 achieve the clean energy standards provided in this section.
138 (c) The commission shall excuse an investor-owned electric
139 utility from compliance with the clean portfolio standard if:
140 1. The supply of clean energy and clean energy credits is
141 not adequate to satisfy the clean portfolio standard; or
142 2. The cost of producing clean energy or purchasing clean
143 energy credits is prohibitive in that the total costs of
144 compliance with the clean portfolio standard exceeds 2 percent
145 of the investor-owned electric utility’s total annual revenue
146 from retail sales of electricity.
147 (d) The cost of compliance with the clean portfolio
148 standards includes:
149 1. The costs associated with the purchase of clean energy
150 credits;
151 2. The costs paid by the utility which are associated with
152 the clean energy credit market; and
153 3. The utility’s costs of its self-build Florida clean
154 energy resource which exceed the costs to the utility of the
155 generation source it would have otherwise built or the energy or
156 capacity, or both, it would have purchased from another source.
157
158 Expenses for Class III clean energy sources may not be included
159 in calculating the cost of compliance.
160 (e) The cost of compliance must be allocated separately for
161 Class I and Class II clean energy sources and, for each class,
162 the total cost of compliance is prohibitive if the costs exceed
163 1 percent of the investor-owned electric utility’s total annual
164 revenue from retail sales of electricity.
165 (f) Each investor-owned electric utility seeking to
166 construct a Florida clean energy project must select the
167 technology and project most likely to be cost-effective for the
168 general body of ratepayers for that class of clean energy
169 technology. In determining the most cost-effective construction
170 option and in purchasing clean energy credits, an investor-owned
171 utility shall seek the least-cost alternatives within each class
172 of clean energy sources. The method of determining the least
173 cost alternative shall be determined by the commission and may
174 include requests for proposals, auctions, or other methods.
175 (g) A clean energy credit remains the property of the owner
176 of the clean energy resource from which it was derived until it
177 is sold or transferred.
178 (4)(3) The commission shall adopt rules providing
179 requirements for:
180 (a) Implementing the clean a renewable portfolio standard.
181 (b) Determining the method of establishing least-cost
182 options for the construction of facilities or the purchase of
183 clean energy credits.
184 (c) Determining what entities are eligible to produce clean
185 energy credits.
186 (d) Determining the method of recovery of the costs of
187 compliance with the clean portfolio standard, with such costs
188 appearing as a separate line item on each customer’s bill.
189 (e) Filing reports concerning compliance by utilities with
190 the clean portfolio standard.
191 (f) Creating a clean energy credit market requiring each
192 provider to supply renewable energy to its customers directly,
193 by procuring, or through renewable energy credits. In developing
194 the RPS rule, the commission shall consult the Department of
195 Environmental Protection and the Florida Energy and Climate
196 Commission. The rule shall not be implemented until ratified by
197 the Legislature. The commission shall present a draft rule for
198 legislative consideration by February 1, 2009.
199 (a) In developing the rule, the commission shall evaluate
200 the current and forecasted levelized cost in cents per kilowatt
201 hour through 2020 and current and forecasted installed capacity
202 in kilowatts for each renewable energy generation method through
203 2020.
204 (b) The commission’s rule:
205 1. Shall include methods of managing the cost of compliance
206 with the renewable portfolio standard, whether through direct
207 supply or procurement of renewable power or through the purchase
208 of renewable energy credits. The commission shall have
209 rulemaking authority for providing annual cost recovery and
210 incentive-based adjustments to authorized rates of return on
211 common equity to providers to incentivize renewable energy.
212 Notwithstanding s. 366.91(3) and (4), upon the ratification of
213 the rules developed pursuant to this subsection, the commission
214 may approve projects and power sales agreements with renewable
215 power producers and the sale of renewable energy credits needed
216 to comply with the renewable portfolio standard. In the event of
217 any conflict, this subparagraph shall supersede s. 366.91(3) and
218 (4). However, nothing in this section shall alter the obligation
219 of each public utility to continuously offer a purchase contract
220 to producers of renewable energy.
221 2. Shall provide for appropriate compliance measures and
222 the conditions under which noncompliance shall be excused due to
223 a determination by the commission that the supply of renewable
224 energy or renewable energy credits was not adequate to satisfy
225 the demand for such energy or that the cost of securing
226 renewable energy or renewable energy credits was cost
227 prohibitive.
228 3. May provide added weight to energy provided by wind and
229 solar photovoltaic over other forms of renewable energy, whether
230 directly supplied or procured or indirectly obtained through the
231 purchase of renewable energy credits.
232 4. Shall determine an appropriate period of time for which
233 renewable energy credits may be used for purposes of compliance
234 with the renewable portfolio standard.
235 5. Shall provide for monitoring of compliance with and
236 enforcement of the requirements of this section.
237 6. Shall ensure that energy credited toward compliance with
238 the requirements of this section is not credited toward any
239 other purpose.
240 7. Shall include procedures to track and account for
241 renewable energy credits, including ownership of renewable
242 energy credits that are derived from a customer-owned renewable
243 energy facility as a result of any action by a customer of an
244 electric power supplier that is independent of a program
245 sponsored by the electric power supplier.
246 8. Shall provide for the conditions and options for the
247 repeal or alteration of the rule in the event that new
248 provisions of federal law supplant or conflict with the rule.
249 (c) Beginning on April 1 of the year following final
250 adoption of the commission’s renewable portfolio standard rule,
251 each provider shall submit a report to the commission describing
252 the steps that have been taken in the previous year and the
253 steps that will be taken in the future to add renewable energy
254 to the provider’s energy supply portfolio. The report shall
255 state whether the provider was in compliance with the renewable
256 portfolio standard during the previous year and how it will
257 comply with the renewable portfolio standard in the upcoming
258 year.
259 (5) By February 1, 2010, and each year thereafter, the
260 commission shall submit a report to the Legislature detailing
261 further rulemaking activities, developments in the production of
262 clean energy, how much and what types of clean energy are
263 available in various regions of the state and at what cost, and
264 any impediments to further increases in the production of clean
265 energy in this state.
266 (6)(4) In order to demonstrate the feasibility and
267 viability of clean energy systems, the commission shall provide
268 for full cost recovery under the environmental cost-recovery
269 clause of all reasonable and prudent costs incurred by a
270 provider for renewable energy projects that are zero greenhouse
271 gas emitting at the point of generation, up to a total of 110
272 megawatts statewide, and for which the provider has secured
273 necessary land, zoning permits, and transmission rights within
274 the state. Such costs shall be deemed reasonable and prudent for
275 purposes of cost recovery so long as the provider has used
276 reasonable and customary industry practices in the design,
277 procurement, and construction of the project in a cost-effective
278 manner appropriate to the location of the facility. The provider
279 shall report to the commission as part of the cost-recovery
280 proceedings the construction costs, in-service costs, operating
281 and maintenance costs, hourly energy production of the renewable
282 energy project, and any other information deemed relevant by the
283 commission. Any provider constructing a clean energy facility
284 pursuant to this section shall file for cost recovery no later
285 than July 1, 2009.
286 (7)(5) Each municipal electric utility and rural electric
287 cooperative shall develop standards for the promotion,
288 encouragement, and expansion of the use of renewable energy
289 resources and energy conservation and efficiency measures. On or
290 before April 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, each municipal
291 electric utility and electric cooperative shall submit to the
292 commission a report that identifies such standards.
293 (8)(6) Nothing in This section does not shall be construed
294 to impede or impair terms and conditions of existing contracts.
295 (9)(7) The commission may adopt rules to administer and
296 implement the provisions of this section.
297 Section 2. Subsection (4) of section 366.93, Florida
298 Statutes, is amended, and subsection (7) is added to that
299 section, to read:
300 366.93 Cost recovery for the siting, design, licensing, and
301 construction of nuclear and integrated gasification combined
302 cycle power plants.—
303 (4) When the nuclear or integrated gasification combined
304 cycle power plant is placed in commercial service, the utility
305 shall be allowed to increase its base rate charges by the
306 projected annual revenue requirements of the nuclear or
307 integrated gasification combined cycle power plant based on the
308 jurisdictional annual revenue requirements of the plant for the
309 first 12 months of operation. The rate of return on capital
310 investments shall be calculated using the utility’s rate of
311 return last approved by the commission prior to the commercial
312 inservice date of the nuclear or integrated gasification
313 combined cycle power plant. If any existing generating plant is
314 retired as a result of operation of the nuclear or integrated
315 gasification combined cycle power plant, the commission shall
316 allow for the recovery, through an increase in base rate
317 charges, of the net book value of the retired plant over a
318 period not to exceed 5 years or, if the commission determines
319 that it would be more cost-effective to convert the existing
320 generating plant to a biomass plant, allow for the recovery of
321 the costs of conversion in base rate charges over a period that
322 is determined by the commission.
323 (7) In order to further promote the development of nuclear
324 electrical generation and minimize the financial risk to any one
325 utility associated with the construction of a nuclear power
326 plant, electric utilities in this state are encouraged to pursue
327 the joint ownership of nuclear power plants.
328 Section 3. Section 366.99, Florida Statutes, is created to
329 read:
330 366.99 Natural gas delivery; surcharge for carbon
331 reduction.—
332 (1) This section may be cited as the “Natural Gas Act.”
333 (2) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the
334 expanded direct end use of natural gas for its inherent energy
335 efficiency and environmental benefits.
336 (3) As used in this section, the term “eligible
337 installations” means natural gas utility facilities that:
338 (a) Connect supply sources of natural gas to a distribution
339 system that serves primarily residential customers;
340 (b) Are in service and used and useful in providing utility
341 service;
342 (c) Were not included in the utility’s rate base for
343 purposes of determining the utility’s base rate in the most
344 recent general base-rate proceedings; and
345 (d) Consist of mains that are greater than or equal to 4
346 inches in diameter or that are certified to operate at a maximum
347 allowable operating pressure greater than 60 pounds per square
348 inch gauge, together with associated valves, regulator stations,
349 vaults, transmission line taps, and other pipeline system
350 components.
351 (4) Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter or rule
352 to the contrary, a public utility, as defined in s. 366.02,
353 which is providing natural gas service may petition the
354 commission to establish or modify a carbon-reduction surcharge
355 to be used to construct eligible installations in areas of this
356 state which are unserved or underserved with natural gas
357 service. The surcharge shall be recovered through a cost
358 recovery clause, separate and distinct from a utility’s base
359 rates, using the same allocation methodology applicable to the
360 utility’s recovery of costs recoverable pursuant to the Energy
361 Conservation Cost Recovery Rule, rule 25-17.015, Florida
362 Administrative Code. The surcharge is to recover the utility’s
363 revenue requirement relevant to construction of the eligible
364 installations and shall be in the amount of the pretax revenues
365 equal to:
366 (a) The utility’s weighted average cost of capital allowed
367 in the most recent rate proceeding multiplied by the 13-month
368 average net book value of eligible installations, including
369 recognition of accumulated depreciation associated with eligible
370 installations;
371 (b) State, federal, and local income taxes;
372 (c) Ad valorem taxes; and
373 (d) Depreciation expenses on eligible installations.
374 (5) When a petition is filed by a utility, the commission
375 shall conduct a limited proceeding and determine the utility’s
376 revenue requirements and the surcharge to be charged in the
377 following year.
378 (6) The petition must contain:
379 (a) An estimation of the utility’s revenue requirements and
380 carbon-reduction surcharge collections for the following year.
381 (b) If a carbon-reduction surcharge has previously been
382 established, an annual true-up filing showing the actual
383 eligible installation costs and actual carbon-reduction
384 surcharge revenues for the most recent 12-month period from
385 January 1 through December 31 which ends before the annual
386 petition filing, including a comparison of the actual eligible
387 installation costs and carbon-reduction surcharge revenues to
388 the estimated total eligible installation costs and carbon
389 reduction surcharge revenues previously reported for the same
390 period. The filing shall also include the over-or-under recovery
391 of total carbon-reduction surcharge revenue requirements for the
392 true-up period.
393 (7) The utility shall establish separate accounts or
394 subaccounts for each eligible installation for purposes of
395 recording the costs incurred for each project. The utility shall
396 also establish a separate account or subaccount for any revenues
397 derived from specific carbon-reduction surcharges.
398 (8) An eligible installation shall be included for the
399 purposes of calculating revenue requirements for no more than 5
400 years.
401 (9) The total amount of carbon-reduction surcharge revenue
402 in effect in any 1 year may not exceed 2 percent of the
403 utility’s total annual nonfuel revenue for the previous year.
404 (10) This section expires December 31, 2014, unless
405 reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature before that date.
406 However, the procedures and other applicable provisions in this
407 section and the carbon-reduction surcharges approved pursuant to
408 this section shall remain in effect for the full term of all
409 eligible installations approved by the commission before
410 December 31, 2014.
411 Section 4. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
412 377.6015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
413 377.6015 Florida Energy and Climate Commission.—
414 (1) The Florida Energy and Climate Commission is created
415 within the Executive Office of the Governor. The commission
416 shall be comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor,
417 the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Chief Financial
418 Officer.
419 (a) The Governor shall appoint one member from three
420 persons nominated by the Florida Public Service Commission
421 Nominating Council, created in s. 350.031, to each of seven
422 seats on the commission. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall
423 appoint one member from three persons nominated by the council
424 to one seat on the commission. The Chief Financial Officer shall
425 appoint one member from three persons nominated by the council
426 to one seat on the commission.
427 1. The council shall submit the recommendations to the
428 Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Chief
429 Financial Officer by September 1 of those years in which the
430 terms are to begin the following October or within 60 days after
431 a vacancy occurs for any reason other than the expiration of the
432 term. The Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the
433 Chief Financial Officer may proffer names of persons to be
434 considered for nomination by the council.
435 2. The Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the
436 Chief Financial Officer shall fill a vacancy occurring on the
437 commission by appointment of one of the applicants nominated by
438 the council only after a background investigation of such
439 applicant has been conducted by the Department of Law
440 Enforcement.
441 3. Members shall be appointed to 3-year terms; however, in
442 order to establish staggered terms, for the initial
443 appointments, the Governor shall appoint four members to 3-year
444 terms, two members to 2-year terms, and one member to a 1-year
445 term, and the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Chief
446 Financial Officer shall each appoint one member to a 3-year term
447 and shall appoint a successor when that appointee’s term expires
448 in the same manner as the original appointment. The terms of
449 members shall begin on October 1 and end on September 30.
450 4. The Governor shall select from the membership of the
451 commission one person to serve as chair.
452 5. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the
453 unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original
454 appointment.
455 6. If the Governor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the
456 Chief Financial Officer has not made an appointment within 30
457 consecutive calendar days after the receipt of the
458 recommendations, the council shall initiate, in accordance with
459 this section, the nominating process within 30 days.
460 7. Each appointment to the commission shall be subject to
461 confirmation by the Senate during the next regular session after
462 the vacancy occurs. If the Senate refuses to confirm or fails to
463 consider the appointment of the Governor, the Commissioner of
464 Agriculture, or the Chief Financial Officer, the council shall
465 initiate, in accordance with this section, the nominating
466 process within 30 days.
467 8. The Governor or the Governor’s successor may recall an
468 appointee.
469 Section 5. Subsection (14) of section 403.503, Florida
470 Statutes, is amended to read:
471 403.503 Definitions relating to Florida Electrical Power
472 Plant Siting Act.—As used in this act:
473 (14) “Electrical power plant” means, for the purpose of
474 certification, any steam or solar electrical generating facility
475 using any process or fuel, including nuclear materials, except
476 that this term does not include any steam or solar electrical
477 generating facility of less than 75 megawatts in capacity unless
478 the applicant for such a facility elects to apply for
479 certification under this act. This term also includes the site;
480 all associated facilities that will be owned by the applicant
481 that are physically connected to the site; all associated
482 facilities that are indirectly connected to the site by other
483 proposed associated facilities that will be owned by the
484 applicant; and associated transmission lines that will be owned
485 by the applicant which connect the electrical power plant to an
486 existing transmission network or rights-of-way to which the
487 applicant intends to connect. At the applicant’s option, this
488 term may include any offsite associated facilities that will not
489 be owned by the applicant; offsite associated facilities that
490 are owned by the applicant but that are not directly connected
491 to the site; any proposed terminal or intermediate substations
492 or substation expansions connected to the associated
493 transmission line; or new transmission lines, upgrades, or
494 improvements of an existing transmission line on any portion of
495 the applicant’s electrical transmission system necessary to
496 support the generation injected into the system from the
497 proposed electrical power plant.
498 Section 6. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 525.09,
499 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
500 525.09 Inspection fee.—
501 (1) For the purpose of defraying the expenses incident to
502 inspecting, testing, and analyzing petroleum fuels in this
503 state, there shall be paid to the department a charge of one
504 eighth cent per gallon on all gasoline, alternative fuel
505 containing alcohol as defined in s. 525.01(1)(c)1. or 2.,
506 kerosene that is not (except when used as aviation turbine
507 fuel), and #1 fuel oil for sale or use in this state. This
508 inspection fee shall be imposed in the same manner as the motor
509 fuel tax pursuant to s. 206.41. Payment shall be made on or
510 before the 25th day of each month.
511 (3) All remittances to the department for the inspection
512 tax herein provided shall be accompanied by a detailed report
513 under oath showing the number of gallons of gasoline,
514 alternative fuel containing alcohol as defined in s.
515 525.01(1)(c)1. or 2., kerosene, or fuel oil sold and delivered
516 in each county.
517 Section 7. (1) The Florida Energy and Climate Commission
518 shall prepare a report that:
519 (a) Identifies methods of increasing energy-efficiency
520 practices among low-income households as defined in ss. 420.9071
521 and 421.03, Florida Statutes. The commission shall, at a
522 minimum, identify energy-efficiency programs that are currently
523 offered to low-income households by community action agencies,
524 community-based organizations, and utility companies in this
525 state and similar programs that are offered to low-income
526 households in other states.
527 (b) Determines the statewide impact of improving the level
528 of the energy efficiency of rental housing stock, including, but
529 not limited to, the environmental benefits of such improvements
530 and the potential fiscal impact with respect to property
531 tenants, owners, and landlords and to the economy. The
532 commission shall consider the relative equity and economic
533 efficiency of the cost-share for such energy-efficiency
534 improvements.
535 (c) Provides recommendations for implementing energy
536 efficiency practices among residents of low-income households.
537 (2) The commission shall submit the report to the President
538 of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
539 December 1, 2009.
540 Section 8. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.