Authorizes the issuance of $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in state facilities.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that renewable energy and energy efficient technologies can provide a viable means to produce safe energy resources as well as efficiently use energy resources for various state departments and agencies. Renewable energy technologies allow electricity to be generated at the source where it is consumed and consequently provides increased energy independence and diminishes the vulnerability of state facilities from rolling blackouts, other failures of the electric grid, and the volatility of the energy market. Renewable energy offers a clean, silent, and reliable source of energy and produces energy during peak demand.

The legislature further finds that, for fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, the state government used over six hundred sixty-eight million kilowatts of electricity at a cost of over $83,500,000. Potential savings realized by the State through the installation of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in state facilities could pay for all or a substantial portion of the costs associated with issuing general obligation bonds to finance such projects.

The legislature further finds that it is in the public interest to finance the incorporation of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in state facilities. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

SECTION 2. (a) The State shall finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in state facilities for the generation of electricity as provided for in this Act.

(b) The State shall identify, evaluate, and prioritize qualifying projects. Those projects with the highest benefit to cost ratios shall be given priority with respect to the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies; subject to the consent of those state departments, agencies, or enterprises that own or control the facilities or lands on which renewable technologies and energy efficient technologies are proposed to be sited.

"Energy efficient technology" means a technology (such as equipment, processes, assemblies, control methods, or the like) that reduces the amount of input energy consumed by a process per unit of useful output from the process compared to standard technology. An energy efficient technology shall be cost effective based on life cycle analysis.

"Renewable energy technology" means any new identifiable device, apparatus, system, or the like that makes use of renewable resources for thermal or electrical energy production for heating, cooling, or reducing the use of other types of energy dependent on fossil fuel.

SECTION 3. The department of accounting and general services shall submit a comprehensive report to the legislature and the governor twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2007 and 2008 regarding the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in state facilities pursuant to this Act, including:

SECTION 4. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $25,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 to finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in state facilities.

SECTION 5. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2008, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 6. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.