Idaho Energy Collaborative Energy Lobby Day at the Idaho Legislature
What: “Idaho Energy Collaborative” Energy Lobby Day
Who: The Idaho Energy Collaborative
When: Monday, February 15h, 9:30 am – noon
Where: State Capitol 4th Floor Rotunda
Why: To help Idaho citizens participate in lobbying at the Statehouse and advocate for implementation of the 2007 Idaho Energy Plan
Boise, ID: The Idaho Energy Collaborative, a group of more than 30 non-profits, green businesses, academics, government representatives and energy advocates will hold its second Idaho Energy Lobby Day on President’s Day, February 15 from 9:30 am to noon on the fourth floor of the Idaho Statehouse. The Lobby Day will educate legislators about how energy efficiency and renewable energy development can be a solution to Idaho’s hard economic times and bring much needed jobs and economic growth to the state. It will be an opportunity to focus on actions in the 2007 Energy Plan that do not involve money but would help move us toward a cleaner energy future.
The 2007 Idaho Energy Plan was overwhelming passed by the Legislature in a consolidated 86-18 vote. However, many of the key recommendations of the Plan have yet to be implemented. The Energy Lobby Day will highlight this issue and provide educational materials about the benefits of advancing clean, safe, and affordable energy in Idaho.
“The Idaho Energy Collaborative is a group of people, working in a bi-partisan fashion, to find common ground on energy policy that will create jobs in our state and help our ailing economy” said Liz Woodruff, the Collaborative coordinator. “This lobby day is a chance for the people of Idaho to tell legislators we want them to view energy policy reform as a solution to our economic hard-times, rather than something we can afford to put off indefinitely.”
The 2007 Idaho Energy Plan gives priority status to renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Plan specifically highlights the need to pass legislation that will make Idaho a more hospitable environment for renewable energy development. Jeff Burns, a Collaborative member and owner of the newly incorporated Burns Energy says, “The reality is that many people from all walks of life want some form of green energy and efficiency in their lives. This desire for change and advancement in our society is the cornerstone to any job creation or economic growth pattern. We need to embrace it and support it as best we can.”
The Idaho Energy Collaborative will be showing displays highlighting the potential for job growth in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and information about Idaho’s current electricity resources will be profiled for legislators.
“Most Idahoans know that we get a lot of our energy from hydro-power,” said Jessica Ruehrwein of the Sierra Club. “But very few realize that we get nearly half of our energy from imported coal, and that 80% of Idaho’s total energy requirements are met by imports from neighboring states. Our lobby day is designed to educate all Idahoans about the real costs of our current energy supply—both the economic and environmental costs.”
Among the Collaborative’s legislative priorities this session is Senate Bill 1273 , which would expedite permitting for renewable energy developments. Passage of this bill would show the legislature’s commitment to implementing Idaho’s Energy Plan. The Collaborative also is looking for creative solutions to address the high-up front costs of renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades, and the lack of low-interest financing options for residences and businesses interested in these forms of energy savings and production.
“Distributed generation and energy efficiency will be the hallmark of this century’s energy portfolio” explained Woodruff. “There are enormous funding opportunities available for states that enable financing for renewable energy equipment. Idaho will miss out on these Property Assessed Clean Energy Bonds (PACE bonds) if we do not find a way to address this barrier.” Woodruff explained that the Collaborative is working with a handful of legislators on this issue and will use the lobby day to create widespread awareness and hopefully solutions to the financing problem. “That’s want our energy lobby day is all about—working together to save the state money and resources, while getting a leg up on preparing Idaho for the new clean energy economy.” Woodruff explained.
The Idaho Energy Collaborative is an action-oriented group of over 30 non-profit organizations, green businesses, state agencies, academics, and energy advocates striving to create positive policy changes related to energy. We work to promote energy efficiency and conservation and develop renewable energy. We meet once a month to exchange ideas, track current energy issues, and listen to key stakeholders in energy related fields. Learn more about the Collaborative at our blog: http://idenergycollaborative.blogspot.com/
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