Climate Change at the Capitol

Posted by Freddie on May 9, 2007 under Uncategorized |

And energy security at the state level marches on. This morning SB0116 passed the State Senate unanimously. Here’s the bill summary:

Requires, instead of authorizes, the department of economic and community development to promulgate energy and lighting efficiency standards to be administered by local governments.

The bill was amended prior to passage. As amended, the bill makes “the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council . . . the minimum energy conservation standards for any new residential building construction on or after January 1, 2008″ and requires ECD to publish info about these standards on its website.

The bill was sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Rosalind Kurita and Sen. Raymond Finney (R - Maryville). We hear there was considerable work done with local governments and developers to ensure the bill would pass easily. Cynical ol’ me would’ve expected that a bill that tinkers with codes would’ve met considerable resistance from developer-friendly legislators. Apparently, the developers feel they are currently meeting these standards or can meet them in the future without increased cost. All of which suggests that the climate (pun intended) for energy and environmental legislation has changed in the General Assembly. Is it just me, or is Sen. Kurita managing to be an effective member of the Senate, particularly on energy issues?

Our friends over at Kilowatt Ours informed us that this is the first major update to these codes in 15 years. Progress is good.

Of course, the bill is still held up in the House. We recommend that you contact Rep. John Tidwell (D - New Johnsonville), the House sponsor, to see how you can help get the bill passed in his chamber.

Nashville is Talking » Fresh ‘n’ Fruity said,

[...] Climate Change at the Capitol [...]
Bryan said,

Whoo hooo!
Volunteer Voters » Karping Kurita Kritics In Knoxvile said,

[...] It is preposterous. As for not passing bills, Senator Kurita has okay for herself in terms of moving legislation. Check this post from Liberadio(!). And then go ahead and look over her record. It is right there for all to see. I count four bills passed by the House to date and several other that she has co-sponsored and the session isn’t over yet. Some do seemed to have been held up by the House but that is to be expected. [...]
Anonymous said,

Look where the bill is in the House. It is going NOWHERE. You still have to have a bill pass both houses before it becomes law. Come on guys.
Henry said,

Come on. That bill is going NOWHERE in the House. A bill still has to pass both houses to become a law.
Freddie said,

Right, so I’m sure you both read my entire post wherein I point out that it still has to pass the House? And my encouraging people to get in touch with Rep. Tidwell to get it moving?

Unanimous passage in one chamber is seldom followed by complete inaction in the other chamber, and the energy package Kurita and others are backing has some vocal supporters outside of the legislature looking to marshal resources to support passage into law.