June/July 2008
Legislative Update
C O N T E N T S
Sustainable Sites: The Role of Paving Systems in Sustainable Projects
Chapter Update: Avery Brewery Pours in the Support
Green Government: 2008 Legislative Session Supports Sustainability
Green Roofs : Denver Botanical Gardens New Green Roof
Executive Director Corner :The Benefits of Membership
VISION
Promote responsibility for Colorado's environmental legacy.
MISSION
Advance and promote sustainable planning, design, construction and operation of the built environment through education, improving industry guidelines, policy advocacy, and information and resource sharing.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tom Hootman, President
RNL Design
Dana Kose, Vice Chair
M.A. Mortenson
Megan Christensen, Secretary
Aardex
Jim Bradburn, Treasurer
RMH Group
Mike Lowell, Advocacy Chair
US GSA
Mike Doody, Memberhip Chair
Herman Miller, Inc
Josh Radoff, Director At Large
YRG Consultants
Sue McFaddin, Director At Large
Seven Generations
Ted Caulkins, Education Chair
Cistern Solutions
Daniele Loffreda, Communications Chair
Plateau Enviro Associates
Conor Merrigan, EGB Chair
C2 Sustainable Development Consultants
Deb Kleinman
Executive Director
Colorado Building Green is the official newsletter of the U.S. Green Building Council – Colorado Chapter, and is published bi-monthly. If you are interested in submiting a story, ideas or other information for publication, please contact the editor at dgloffreda@msn.com
2008 Legislation Session Supports Sustainability
By Nichole Goodman, Policy Director, Alliance for Sustainable Colorado
The 2008 Legislative session ended on Tuesday May 6; after a record introduction of 662 Bills in 119 days. The Colorado General assembly embraced many critical issues this session including energy efficiency and stewardship in the built environment. The economic, environmental and social benefits of sustainability garnered support from both sides of the aisle.
With energy prices a likely scenario for the foreseeable future, legislators took note of the fact that buildings account for 71% of all electricity consumption.
The following is a list of the legislation that was passed which involve buildings, and policies that begin to address the effect that buildings have on the environment:
House Bills
- House Bill 08-1141: Curry/Bacon-Development permits will not be granted unless the applicant can prove that there is adequate water for the proposed development.
- House Bill 08-1160: Solano/Shaffer and Isgar-Net metering rural and electric utilities. Requires utilities to provide a net meter to residents who generate energy from renewable sources; the utilities must credit the customer fairly for the energy production.
- House Bill 08-1164: Solano/Schwartz-Encourages the Public Utilities Commission to consider Solar as a source of energy in new utility production projects.
- House Bill 08-1170: Soper/Tochtrop- Increased license requirements for electricians and apprentices to include renewable energy systems.
- House Bill 08-1207: Kefalas/Bacon- State agencies to purchase environmentally friendly products and to maintain a list of preferred products.
- House Bill 08-1269: White/Gibbs-Sales and tax exemptions for the sale and use of wood from salvaged trees infested in Colorado by the mountain pine beetles.
- House Bill 08-1270: A. Kerr/Tupa- Protects from deed restrictions and covenants energy generation devices and energy efficiency measures such as wind-electric, shading structures, shutters, fans, evaporative coolers, EE outdoor lighting, and retractable clothes lines.
- House Bill 08-1335: Romanoff/Groff and Schwartz- Concerning funds and funding used for school capital construction; requires green building and energy efficiency standards to be used.
- House Bill 08-1350: Madden/Romer-Involving residential and commercial financing mechanisms through local governments and the Colorado clean energy development authority for energy efficiency retrofits and improvements.
- House Bill 08-1368: Buescher/Brophy- Requires counties to exclude in property tax assessments renewable energy systems and an exemption option for the components used in renewable energy systems from the sales and use tax.
- House Bill 08-1387: Buescher/Veiga- Generates funding for low-income energy assistance through the surplus in the operating account of the severance tax trust fund. Provides funding for short-term and long-term energy efficiency programs.
Senate Bills
- Senate Bill 08-078: Renfroe/Sonnenberg - State Historical fund to use energy efficient materials and technology in historic structures as long as the historical appearance is not affected
- Senate Bill 08-117: S. Mitchell/McNulty-Limits permit fees for solar panels and solar devices to $500 or less for residential and $1000 for commercial.
- Senate Bill 08-119: Romer/Looper-Limited exemption for water collected from residential rooftops in cisterns; in the interim the water resources review committee is to study the issues related to this exemption as laid out in the full language of the bill.
- Senate Bill 08-147: Gordon/Hodge- Requires low-income housing projects receiving state funding to be built to energy efficiency standards; and allows the office of the state architect to use a locally applicable fuel escalation rate in calculating life cycle cost analyses.
- Senate Bill 08-184: Romer/Levy-Loans to homeowners for energy efficiency improvements or energy use that comes from a renewable source administered through the Colorado Clean Energy Finance Program within the Governor’s Energy Office.
For complete Bill language and Colorado General Assembly information please visit http://www.leg.state.co.us/