State Energy Policy: Implications for

Consumers and Consumer Policy

Carole Makela

Financial Incentives• Grants• Green Building Incentives• Loan Programs—Utilities, Government• Personal Tax Incentives—Credits, Deductions• Property Tax Incentives—Exemptions,

Exclusions, Credits• Rebates• Sales Tax Incentives—Exemptions, Holidays• Utility Rate Discounts

Policies and Regulations• Appliance Standards• Building Codes• Generation Disclosure Rules• Mandatory Utility Green Power• Net Metering• Public Benefit Funds• Solar and Wind Access

Summary of all State and Territories with Policies and Regulations

Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency

# of states/territories

Appliance Standards (Federal) ─ 12

Building Codes (Federal) ─ 53 (CO, WY)

Generation Disclosure 23 (CO) ─

Mandatory Utility Green Power 9 ─

Net Metering 48 (CO, WY) ─

Public Benefit Funds ─ 20 (CO)

Solar and Wind Access 35 (CO) ─

Summary of all States and Territories with Financial Incentives

Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency

# of states/territories

Personal Tax 20 10

Sales Tax 24 (CO, WY) 10

Property Tax 33 (CO) 5

Rebate* 39 (WY) 43

Grants* 26 21 (CO, WY)

Loans* 36 41 (WY)

Production Incentives 25 ─

Incentives may be state/territory, local, utility, or private.*Most programs are utility/city based.

PurposeExploration of state’s energy

related incentives and policies and regulations, 2008 legislation

2008 Legislation

Frequent issues addressed• Theft of metals (copper) and regulation of scrap

metal dealers• Net metering—flow of electricity (and its cost) to

and from customer generating it• Facilitating use of solar energy• Facilitating use of renewable energy• State agencies, building and purchasing

standards

Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act—incentives for installing 200,000 solar units in 2007

HI Solar hot water heaters in all new residential construction

IA Office of Energy Independence and the Power Fund

ME, NH

Regulate outdoor wood boilers, regulate sale and use of high emission models

NM Solar energy research part and academy

NY Limit fame waste electric generation (for new metering) to 500 Kwh

SC Incentive program for purchase and installation of EE manufactured homes

VT Development of industrial hemp industry (fuel crop for biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol.

Unique State PoliciesCA Lighting Efficiency and Toxics Reduction Act—lighting levels, hazardous

substances per European Union standardsSolar Water Heating and Efficiency Act—incentive for installing 200,000 solar units in 2007

HI Solar hot water heaters in all new residential construction

IA Office of Energy Independence and the Power Fund

ME, NH

Regulate outdoor wood boilers, regulate sale and use of high emission models

NM Solar energy research park and academy

NY Limit farm waste electric generation (for net metering) to 500 Kwh

SC Incentive program for purchase and installation of EE manufactured homes

VT Development of industrial hemp industry (fuel crop for biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol, etc.)

Conclusions• Provide incentives for consumers to use

renewable energy and/or implement energy efficiencies

• Passed laws exceeded those which died/failed• CA and HI passed the most laws• CA and FL had the most that died/failed