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While many good clean-energy bills have failed, sadly, in this year's General Assembly session, I'm pleased to report that as of today, the Virginia State Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates have both UNANIMOUSLY approved SB1212 -- the Clean Energy Financing Bill patroned by Sen. Creigh Deeds on behalf of the City of Charlottesville (referenced in this earlier post). Now it just needs Gov. Kaine's signature to become law.
Remember this day, folks. Thanks to SB1212, we will likely see a multitude of Virginia localities establish public-private financing initiatives over the coming years to help property owners all over the Commonwealth to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their homes and businesses. Many thanks to Sen. Deeds, to David Blount (Charlottesville's legislative liaison), and to the many other individuals and organizations who lent their support to this Bill (including the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties) and helped to ensure its passage.
On Tuesday, a new measure introduced by Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) that would allow cities to finance homegrown clean energy programs unanimously cleared the Local Government Committee and will be heard by the entire senate in the next several days [. . .]
An innovative financing measure to encourage locally produced alternative energy, Senate Bill 1212 provides that
Any locality may, by ordinance, authorize contracts to finance the initial acquisition and installation of clean energy improvements with free and willing property owners of both existing properties and new construction.
SCH got the skinny from Deeds via his new 'new media' director Kate Sokolov, who passed along our questions to the Senator during session yesterday. Check out Deeds' answers at http://starcityharbinger.com/?...
(Terrific news! Emails embedded for your convenience! - promoted by Eileen)
Senate Bill 1212, introduced by Sen. Deeds, would allow the City of Charlottesville to create an innovative financing program that would make it much easier for property owners to make clean-energy improvements to their homes and businesses. For more info.: http://www.richmondsunlight.co...
Once word got out about this bill, other Virginia localities realized its tremendous potential and decided to seek the same authority. Accordingly, at the request of the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties, a subsitute bill is now being drafted that would allow ALL Virginia localities to create a similar program. Private lenders will be encouraged to participate as well.
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Senate Bill 1212, introduced by Sen. Deeds, would allow the City of Charlottesville to create an innovative financing program that would make it much easier for property owners to make clean-energy improvements to their homes and businesses. For more info.: 
