H.736

SHORT FORM

Introduced by Representative Rose of Williston

Referred to Committee on

Date:

Subject: Conservation; greenhouse gas reduction

Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to adopt the provisions of the energy plan and greenhouse gas action plan produced by the department of public service. These provisions would include the following:

(1) a public outreach plan to promote clean efficient wood burning with new stoves;

(2) provisions to replace Vermont Yankee, in 2012, with two-thirds wood gasification facilities, and with one-third wind power;

(3) steps to increase the appropriate use of landfill methane energy at selected landfills;

(4) encouraging the recovery of methane for electricity generation from farm manure;

(5) establishing a carbon tax at $100.00 per ton with revenues returned to taxpayers;

(6) removing the sales tax exemption on motor fuels with revenue returned to taxpayers;

(7) a one-percent increase in gross fuel receipts tax with revenue to weatherization;

(8) increasing the federal CAFE standards (corporate average fuel efficiency) to 45 mpg for passenger cars and 30 mpg for light trucks by 2005, with further increases after 2005 as cost-effective technologies become available;

(9) enforcing highway speed limits, undertaking public education, increasing penalties for speeding, increasing funding for enforcement and researching more effective enforcement technologies and practices;

(10) shifting vehicle miles traveled to more efficient modes -- bus, vanpool, and train;

(11) encouraging energy-efficient nonmotorized alternatives to the automobile such as cycling and walking by undertaking the following actions:

· continuing to enforce and document compliance with 19 V. S. A. § 2310 regarding the paving of shoulders to create an integrated bicycle route system;

· using bicycle-sensitive traffic sensors at intersections with traffic lights;

· constructing bike paths and creating bike routes;

· increasing pedestrian and bicycle access to public transportation;

· establishing green bicycle projects;

· establishing police bicycle patrols;

· establishing green parking voucher programs;

· reimbursing employees for mileage when a bicycle is used for work purposes;

· supporting efforts to build secure bicycle parking and workplace shower facilities;

· requiring sidewalks along residential and urban roads;

· improving pedestrian road crossings;

· providing small "pocket" parks, resting areas, and benches for pedestrians;

(12) encouraging telecommuting as an alternative to the traditional daily commute to the workplace, particularly in areas where there are air quality problems, traffic congestion, or parking shortages;

(13) encouraging high-density, mixed-use land use planning to reduce the need for transport and improve other energy efficiencies related to heating, cooling, and embedded energy;

(14) instituting a private, no-fault motorcycle, automobile, and light truck liability insurance system in which the premiums are collected at the gas pump, with motor vehicle registrations, and with a surcharge on traffic violations;

(15) requiring the control of gasoline vapor loss at the time of motor vehicle refueling throughout Vermont;

(16) requiring that all new motor vehicles offered for sale meet emissions standards set by the State of California;

(17) adopting least-cost transportation planning;

(18) internalizing more of the hidden costs of transportation in the price of transportation, primarily through shifting revenue sources for transportation-related costs to a motor fuels tax;

(19) shifting the fixed costs of transportation to variable costs by shifting transportation-related fees to motor fuels taxes;

(20) supporting commuter buses with a motor fuels tax and supporting a commuter bus network with a motor fuels tax;

(21) improving efficiency and indoor air quality in new homes;

(22) increasing efficiency in commercial and industrial new construction so that measures and designs that are cost-effective on a life-cycle basis are included in new buildings.

AN ACT RELATING TO IMPLEMENTING THE ENERGY PLAN AND GREENHOUSE GAS ACTION PLAN

It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

(Text Omitted in Short-Form Bills)