Collegues:

SF 517 and SF 2386 are the two energy bills for this Session. They  
were amended and passed moments ago in the House.

SF 517 has pretty positive provisions left in it to improve building  
codes. Here is Friday’s description of what is/was in it; there were  
more fairly minor tweaks to it.

Senate File 517

Incorporates SF 517, dealing with energy building codes and energy  
efficiency, and SF 544, dealing, chiefly, with the Energy Bank Program  
at the Department of Natural Resources.
Provides that the majority of the remaining petroleum overcharges  
moneys, distributed by the Federal government to Iowa and to other  
states, currently in accounts at the DNR, be used to revive the  
operation of the Energy Bank Program.
Provides that the Energy Bank Program – consisting of energy audits  
and the arrangement for low interest bank loans to pay for  
retrofitting public buildings to achieve energy efficiency – may  
charge those public sector entities which choose to take part in the  
program a cost recovery fee.
Amends the municipal utility chapter of the Iowa Code by allowing for  
proprietary information which is a part of the records of municipal  
utilities to be considered confidential.

SF 2386 was what started out long ago as the Governor’s energy  
proposal, and looks little like it now. There is no 25/2025 Renewable  
Standard nor is there a 1 ½% Efficiency Goal. It is not negative,  
requiring studies in the area of efficiencies by all energy  
untilities, but little else to recommend it.

Senate File 2386

Establishes a two year commission within the Building Code  
Commissioner’s office to study energy building codes and code  
enforcement by the state and by political subdivisions and to examine  
voluntary energy efficiency efforts in the public, private and non- 
profit sectors.  Such efforts should be recognized and used as examples.
Provides that the Office of Energy Independence shall perform a  
technical review of the maximum cost-effective potential for renewable  
energy generation in Iowa by 2025 and make recommendations.  (This  
could be changed to have the review performed by the Iowa Utilities  
Board with the OEI having final review authority.)
Provides that non-rate regulated electric and natural gas providers  
assess savings to be achieved through their own energy efficiency  
programs and that they establish an energy efficiency goal based on  
the assessment.  Reports are due to the IUB by July 1, 2009.  These  
utilities shall report on their progress toward such goals to the IUB  
every two years.
The IUB may establish or take part in a program for tracking the  
trading of renewable energy credits by utilities operating within Iowa.
The Legislative Council is asked to establish an interim study  
committee on the existence and effectiveness of energy efficiency  
programs operated by Iowa utilities.
Lyle

____________________________________________
Lyle Krewson
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter Lobbyist

1725 S. 50th Street #602
West Des Moines, IA 50265

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515-238-7113 - Cel
____________________________________________



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