Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Efficiency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House advances state agency energy‑efficiency bill, creates revolving loan fund
Summary
Representative Fred Hunsaker's bill to promote state agency energy efficiency was substituted and passed; the measure creates a revolving loan fund seeded by one‑time restricted funds and projects payback periods potentially under two years, sponsor said. Vote: 71–1.
What passed: The House substituted and passed first substitute House Bill 198 (State Agency Energy Efficiency). Sponsor Representative Fred Hunsaker said the substitute removes a direct appropriation included in the original text and instead moves restricted one‑time funds into a revolving loan fund focused on energy projects across state buildings.
Funding mechanics and savings: Hunsaker described prior pilot appropriation of $1.5 million and said the substitute contemplates transferring roughly $3 million (speaker quoted an approximate figure) from what he referred to as the PDE/PVE restricted fund into a revolving loan fund for energy projects. He told members that, based on experience from the pilot, "the payback will be in less than 2 years." During floor questions, the sponsor clarified that the restricted one‑time funds would be repurposed while ongoing appropriations would continue to cover staff salaries for the Governor's energy office.
Vote and next steps: After floor discussion and clarifying questions about fund sources and ongoing budget effects, the House voted on HB 198; the Clerk reported 71 yes, 1 no. The bill was referred to the Senate for further consideration.
