Committees rush to finalize green bills

Nevada lawmakers, facing a June 1 adjournment, rushed Thursday to complete work on "green energy" legislation which has become one of the major initiatives of the 2009 session.

The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee debated two bills that were part of a comprehensive energy package.

SB395, proposed by Gov. Jim Gibbons, would encourage renewable energy development, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and require state buildings to adopt energy and water efficiency standards.

The changes proposed in the bill would make it easier for renewable energy companies to come to Nevada by allowing more utility companies to sidestep part of a lengthy permitting process.

"It usually takes at least six months to a year to go through the process," said Hatice Gecol, director of the Nevada State Office of Energy. "This will help streamline the permitting process."

The bill originally included incentives for renewable energy producers that would have abated property taxes of those companies for 10 years. The abatements were dropped from the measure. Another bill, AB522 introduced by Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas includes less generous tax abatements.

In previous hearings, lawmakers expressed concern that the abatements proposed in SB395 would give away too much revenue which the state sorely needs.

"This is one of the four energy bills we have been working on to give Nevada a real renewable energy package," said Kirkpatrick. "Last session we installed solar panels, and we've been able to save 50 percent on our energy bills in the Legislature."

SB395 also requires that at least 25 percent of electricity sold to consumers by energy companies be from renewable sources by 2025 and requires car dealers to disclose the amount of carbon dioxide starting with 2012 models.

The committee also heard SB188 which would encourage development of solar hot water heating systems through a demonstration project. Project participants could get rebates or portfolio energy credits from the state Public Utilities Commission.

"Clark County had an ozone alert last summer," said Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas. "These emissions pose a threat to the young and elderly in particular."

The committee had planned to hear SB358, sought by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, which also seeks to streamline the process and would offer more generous tax abatements, such as property tax breaks of up to 75 percent would extend for 20 years.

Kirkpatrick has worked with sponsors of all the energy bills throughout the session. Her bill, which includes less generous tax abatements than others, has not been approved by either house and risks a veto by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

"I'll just have to take my chances," Kirkpatrick said. "If he's going to veto it, he's going to veto it. I've heard he might, but it's all good."