State Senator Petersen's Energy Conservation Plan Gains Ground in House of Delegates
- Clean energy financing bill and SAVE Act unanimously approved by House Committees

FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR PATERSEN

January 19, 2010

CONTACT: Julia Kim
804-698-7534

Sen. Chap Richmond, Virginia - February 19, 2010 - The House of Delegates Counties, Cities and Towns and Labor Committees, respectively, unanimously passed Senate Bill 110 dealing with clean energy financing and Senate Bill 112, the SAVE Act.

Senate Bill 110 permits localities to lend money for clean energy projects, such as installation of geothermal and solar technologies, and place liens against benefited properties, which gives localities security in cases of loan defaults.

"This bill will not only conserve the environment and make clean energy improvements more financially feasible for all parties involved, but it will also create jobs," said Petersen.

The SAVE Act, Senate Bill 112, authorizes natural gas utilities to petition the State Corporation Commission to effectuate a separate rider that would allow for some cost recovery associated with approved infrastructure improvements necessary due to aging and inefficient pipelines.

According to the natural gas industry, infrastructure that would qualify for improvements are limited to that which is significantly outdated, whose replacement would not produce additional revenue for the gas utility, and whose replacement has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Lisa Guthrie, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, has testified that with these upgrades consumers will see decreased costs from "lost and unaccounted for" gas, improved reliability and will ensure that ratepayers are not subjected to potentially shocking rate increases through the traditional rate case process.

Senator Petersen has stated that the SAVE Act, which is endorsed by both the Virginia's natural gas industry and environmental advocacy groups, is a conservation bill that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and allow the industry to be proactive to save consumers money.

Both bills, part of Petersen's overall energy conservation plan, will be heard by the full House of Delegates in the coming weeks.

Senator Chap Petersen serves Virginia's 34th Senate District, which includes much of Fairfax County and Fairfax City.

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