A bill authorizing cities and counties to establish Energy Improvement Districts in order to make loans to property owners for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.
Bill Draft Number: LC0872
Prospective Bill Sponsor: Rep. Brady Wiseman, Bozeman
Contacts: Linda Gryczan, AERO Lobbyist, (406) 431-3635 (cell)
Ben Brouwer, AERO Energy Program Manager, (406) 443-7272 (office)
Bill Impact:
• Jobs for the construction and renewable energy industries
• Lower energy costs for homeowners, businesses, and farmers
• Improved communities by enhancing private property
• Reduced environmental impact from energy consumption
How it Works:
• This bill will give Cities and Counties the authority to create Energy Improvement Districts. A municipality would then be able to issue bonds in order to make loans to property owners within a District for purposes of installing renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements to residential, commercial or industrial property.
• The boundary of an Energy Improvement District would match the municipality’s boundary.
• The bond would be paid back by those property owners within the municipality who chose to participate, on terms set by the municipality.
Background:
• Crippling energy costs, the lagging construction industry, and a shrinking State budget demand innovative approaches to financing projects that will make our homes and businesses more energy efficient and self-reliant.
• Municipal governments across the state are stepping up to combat crippling energy costs but they don’t have the tools they need to help their property owners. Efforts to make Montana more energy self-reliant are underway in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Red Lodge, and Seeley Lake to name a few. This bill would give Cities and Counties a tool to help property owners cut energy costs.
• Many Montanans are eager to make their homes or businesses more energy efficient and self-reliant, but of course, solar panels, wind turbines, insulation and new windows aren’t cheap—this bill would help to defray up-front costs.
• Similar legislation has passed in Colorado, Connecticut and California and is pending in Oregon.
Supporters:
• Montana Contractors Association, Montana Building Industry Association
Here's a copy of the actual bill: Download LC0872
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