HB 159: State-Owned Building Energy Efficiency Program
2007 General Session

Sponsor: Rep. Jane Warren (D-H13, Laramie); co-sponsors Reps. Bernadine Craft (D-H17, Rock Springs), Liz Gentile (D-H36, Evansville), Keith Gingery (R-H23, Jackson), Pete Jorgensen (D-H16, Jackson), Marty Martin (D-H48, Rock Springs), Mary Throne (D-H11, Cheyenne), Dan Zwonitzer (R-H43, Cheyenne) and Sens. Bruce Burns (R-S21, Sheridan), Ken Decaria (D-S15, Evanston), John Hastert (D-S13, Green River), Mike Massie (D-S9, Laramie), Curt Meier (R-S3, LaGrange), Jayne Mockler (D-S8, Cheyenne)

HB 159 would have created an energy efficiency program for state-owned buildings. As introduced, all state agencies would have designated an energy efficiency coordinator, and would have developed strategies for improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs in the buildings in which it operates. The bill proposed incentives for state agencies and school boards to participate in the program, by entitling agencies and school districts to use 50% of all documented energy savings for maintenance projects.

HB 159 initially included a $1 million appropriations to get the energy efficiency program started, and authorized one new position in the Division of Administration and Information to implement and coordinate the program.

Proponents of HB 159 noted that significant amounts of energy are consumed in the operation of buildings and other facilities owned and controlled by the state, the University of Wyoming, community colleges and school districts. Reducing energy use in public buildings would reduce the operating costs of government and set a good example of energy efficiency for the general public.

The House Appropriations Committee revised HB 159 to scale back the program to include only the capitol complex of buildings. The bill’s appropriation was reduced to $90,000, with provisions for a program coordinator until 2010.

With these amendments, the House passed HB 159 on third reading, 54-5. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the bill, 4-1, with Senator Phil Nicholas (R-S10, Laramie) voting against the bill in committee. HB 159 was not scheduled for floor debate before the Senate Committee of the Whole before the deadline, so it died without a vote of the full Senate.

The votes listed below are the House third reading votes. A YES vote means the representative wanted to appropriate $90,000 for a building energy efficiency program for the capitol complex buildings in Cheyenne. A NO vote means the representative did not support this energy efficiency program.

LINK TO ENGROSSED VERSION OF HB 159