Massachusetts To Launch Green Revolution

The Massachusetts House of Representatives yesterday passed an energy bill that proponents say will put the state's renewable energy and efficiency programs in the forefront of green initiatives across the country.

The bill received unanimous support from both sides of the Legislature, with a vote of 149-0 in the House yesterday afternoon after passing 36-0 in the Senate on Tuesday. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to sign the legislation into law within the next 10 days.

Known as the Green Communities Act, the bill contains measures that encourage energy efficiency programs, provide incentives for towns to move forward with wind and solar energy projects, and require that utilities enter into long-term contracts with renewable energy generators.

California To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The California Air Resources Board Thursday released a long-awaited draft plan to lower the state's greenhouse gas emissions that relies on an emissions cap-and-trade program for the bulk of the reductions.

Under the draft plan, 85 percent of California's total greenhouse gas emissions would be placed under a declining emissions cap. Other measures set out in the plan, which is designed to meet a state-mandated limit in 2020, include expanding and strengthening existing energy efficiency programs and building and appliance standards, expanding the state's renewable-energy mandates to 33 percent, and implementing other measures such as the state's low-carbon fuel standard and clean car standards.

State Offers Efficiency Grants

There will soon be a new pot of money for homeowners who want to make their houses more "green." Recently passed legislation creates grants for homeowners to renovate or build homes that are more energy efficient. And that funding could start going out to homeowners as early as January 2010.

Judith Enck is the deputy secretary for the environment in Governor David Paterson's administration. She says the agreement will give homeowners money to renovate their homes and apply energy saving devices.

Colorado's New Energy Efficiency Plan

Gov. Bill Ritter has announced the kickoff of a statewide energy efficiency and conservation campaign called “The New Energy Economy: Bringing It Home,” which will feature television and radio advertisements to educate homeowners, individuals and consumers about low-cost and simple steps to save energy.

Gov. Ritter said the 12-month campaign will provide basic advice and tips on how to save money at home and at work:

Clinton Urges Energy Efficiency

Former President Clinton said Sunday that he favored presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's position on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, though he noted that John McCain's stand on those cuts improved on Republicans in the past.

Obama has supported cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by 2050, a position the Illinois senator shared with Clinton's wife when she was running for president.

McCain, the likely GOP presidential nominee, has announced a less ambitious plan to cut those emissions 60 percent by 2050.