I got behind the news late last week and into the weekend, so this the first of two roundups of items I saw.
State Representative Sara Gagliardi (D-JeffCo) introduced a bill (HB09-1331) that promotes low-emitting cars and trucks. It makes changes to the existing tax credit for purchases of vehicles using alternative fuels, for purchase of idling reduction technologies or for conversion of vehicles to use alternative fuels. I heard a segment on the Ed Schultz show earlier this afternoon about an idling technology that I’ll have to look into. It sounded like it would reduce the amount of fuel burned from 1 gallon per hour during idling to 1 gallon per 20 hours, but I could have heard the improved ratio incorrectly.
The Colorado legislature has been busy keeping Colorado’s New Energy Economy moving forward. Recognizing the enormity of the risks climate change and foreign-supplied fossil fuels pose to Colorado’s health and safety, Democrats are pushing initiatives through that will benefit us all. I tracked down the following bills that are or have been introduced in the Colorado legislature this year. I’ve included basic descriptions of the bills to round out what’s going on. I’m going to go over the status of these bills in the future.
HB09-1149 “Solar Home Prewire And Consultation”, sponsored by Rep. Merrifield in the House and Sen. Morgan Carroll in the Senate would requires commercial home builders to offer prospective buyers the following:
1. The option of having the home include, or be pre-wired for, a solar photovoltaic installation; and
2. A list of local solar installers who can assess the home’s solar energy potential.
On a personal level, I’d rather see stronger language for increased solar power distribution in residences. All houses should be pre-wired for solar PV. There is simply too much infrastructure in Colorado’s metropolitan areas to not build solar PV out on a large scale. Each panel would reduce the demand from GHG polluting power plants just that much more. At the same time, I recognize that many people think these things probably need to be taken one step at a time. The Governor’s Energy Office would maintain a list of expert solar system installers to be provided to anybody who requests a copy. That’s a good idea.
