SB 450

This bill contains numerous provisions relating to reducing greenhouse gas

emissions, and increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources to

produce energy.

Greenhouse gas emission reduction goals

This bill specifies goals for statewide reductions in net greenhouse gas

emissions. The goals are: that the amount of emissions in 2014 does not exceed the

amount in 2005; that the amount of emissions in 2022 is at least 22 percent less than

the amount in 2005; and that the amount of emissions in 2050 and thereafter is at

least 75 percent less than the amount in 2005. The bill requires the Department of

Natural Resources (DNR) to quadrennially assess progress toward meeting the

goals.

Zero net energy building goal

This bill specifies that it is the goal of this state that by 2030 each newly

constructed residential or commercial building will use no more energy than is

generated on-site using renewable resources. The bill requires the Department of

Commerce (Commerce) to quadrennially assess progress toward meeting the goal.

Energy conservation goals

This bill specifies goals for reductions in projected statewide consumption of

electricity, liquified petroleum gas, heating oil, and natural gas by percentages

specified in the bill. The bill requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to

quadrennially assess progress toward meeting the goals.

Information, analyses, and reports

This bill requires DNR to collect or estimate information on greenhouse gas

emissions, to prepare inventories and analyses of greenhouse gas emissions, and to

quadrennially prepare an assessment of whether this state is meeting current

greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and of whether the state is likely to meet

future goals. The bill requires DNR to propose new climate change programs or

changes in existing programs or goals.

The bill creates the Climate Change Coordinating Council (council), consisting

of the heads of specified state agencies or their designees, and requires the council

to make recommendations on climate change policy to the legislature and the

governor based on DNR's assessments and other information. The bill also requires

the council to promote and coordinate educational and training programs related to

climate change.

Under current DNR rules, the threshold for a stationary source of air emissions

to report its emissions of carbon dioxide is 100,000 tons per year. The bill requires

DNR to lower the threshold to 10,000 tons per year and to require a source that must

report its emissions of carbon dioxide to also report methane and nitrous oxide

emissions from the combustion of fuel.

Energy efficiency and renewable resource programs