Gingery announces renewable-energy bill
By Noah Brenner, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
October 17, 2008
State Rep. Keith Gingery, R-Jackson, said he will propose a bill in the Legislature’s upcoming session to increase use of renewable energy in the state and encourage energy efficiency.
The bill contains a number of provisions requiring state and local governments to invest in more energy-efficient buildings and give tax breaks to consumers who buy efficient cars or use alternative energy in their homes.
“This is an important issue across Wyoming, and many states are adopting comprehensive bills,” Gingery said in a release. “I believe this bill takes the concept of a comprehensive alternative energy bill and makes it uniquely a Wyoming bill.”
One provision of the bill calls for all state buildings and schools larger than 5,000 square feet to meet the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating system. The system is meant to increase energy efficiency and decrease waste both in the operation and construction of the buildings.
The bill also calls for the state to create an Alternative Energy Council and expand the existing State Energy Office. The Alternative Energy Council could meet regularly with investors, companies and researchers to identify public-private partnerships, Gingery said in the release.
Currently the State Energy Office is part of the Wyoming Business Council.
“Wyoming needs to elevate the status of the State Energy Office and emphasize the good work they are already doing with energy efficiency, and encourage them to do more,” Gingery said in the release.
In the private sector, the bill proposes to exempt vehicles that run on alternative fuels or use hybrid technology from sales and use tax. The credit would apply to vehicles purchased in other states and licensed in Wyoming.
Any vehicle that uses a fuel other than gasoline or diesel — such as natural gas, propane, hydrogen or electricity — or use hybrid technology and have an Environmental Protection Agency estimated highway gasoline mileage rating of at least 40 miles per gallon would qualify.
Another provision would offer a property tax exemption for homeowners who install alternative energy sources such as solar panels or geothermal heat pumps in their home.
Though the Cowboy State has long been a major provider of traditional energy to the nation, Gingery said his alternative energy bill keeps a Wyoming perspective in looking for different ways to produce power.
“The bill does not just address renewable energy but uses the word ‘alternative,’ so we can bring clean coal and nuclear into the discussion,” he said. “I looked at all different things other states had done and crossed out things I didn’t think would work here, like the renewable portfolio standard.
“I took everything that was out there and narrowed it down to what I thought was acceptable.”
Wyoming was recently ranked dead last in the country in a survey of state-sponsored energy initiatives by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a ranking state officials have disputed.
