Missouri Senate

Introduced

Any appliance purchased with any portion of state funding shall be an Energy Star appliance under the Energy Star program by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Division of Facilities Management, Design, and Construction shall ensure that regular maintenance is conducted on lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in all state buildings.

Design documents submitted to the Office of Administration for new construction or substantial renovation of certain state buildings shall include a projection of the energy savings of the building as a result of meeting the state minimum energy efficiency standard.

The act requires that by January 1, 2009, the Department shall modify the minimum energy efficiency standard so that it is at least as stringent as the International Energy Conservation Code, 2006 version (2006 IECC) rather than the current standard of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90. The act modifies the date to July 1, 2009, by which all design for state buildings involving new construction or substantial renovation and any building considered for purchase or lease by a state agency shall comply with the minimum energy efficiency standard. The Commissioner of the Office of Administration may exempt any state building from meeting the minimum energy efficiency standard requirement for safety reasons or when the cost of compliance is expected to exceed the energy cost savings.

The act allows persons affiliated with a gas or electric utility to serve on the voluntary working group of persons with expertise in energy efficiency who advise the Department of Natural Resources.

Beginning July 1, 2016, at least 10% of the electricity used by state buildings must come from renewable energy sources and beginning July 1, 2026, at least 20% of the electricity used by state buildings must come from renewable energy sources.

The act gives counties of the third classification the same authority to adopt a building code as current law provides to counties of the first and second classifications.

The act adds "energy efficiency" code to the definition of a "technical code" for which certain counties, fire protection districts, and municipalities have the authority to adopt by reference. Any energy efficiency code adopted shall be at least as stringent as the 2006 IECC.

This act allows a tax credit for taxpayers who construct a green building or modify an existing structure into a green building. A green building is defined as a building that is designed to achieve integrated systems design and construction so as to significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of the built environment in a number of different ways including water conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and indoor environmental quality and human health.

The tax credit consists of three components: the green whole building component; the green base building component; and the green tenant space component. An applicant may receive a tax credit for each eligible component satisfied by the applicant's project.

Prior to construction, a taxpayer may apply for a preliminary certification for a green building tax credit from the Department of Natural Resources. If the director of the Department of Natural Resources determines that the construction or renovation meets requirements of the tax credit program, the director may issue a final certification upon completion of construction.

The green building tax credit has a per taxpayer cap of $50,000 per year and an aggregate cap of $1 million per year. Green building tax credits are refundable and fully transferable. The Department of Natural Resources must promulgate rules one hundred and twenty days after the effective date of this act to determine the amount of green building tax credits available to any one taxpayer based upon the size of the building, the level of green rating achieved by the building (either through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or the Green Globes rating systems) and whether the project is located in an economic development area.

The act creates two income tax deductions. The first deduction is fifty percent of the cost of a home energy audit, conducted by an energy auditor certified by the Department of Natural Resources. The second deduction is one hundred percent of the purchase price paid for Energy Star labeled products, up to $1,000 per taxpayer per year.

The act creates the "Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday." For 2009 and every year thereafter, during the seven day period beginning on April 19th and ending April 25th, all sales of Energy Star certified appliances will be exempt from state and local sales tax.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide grants to public school districts after July 1, 2009 to assist schools obtain LEED certification for new building construction or substantial renovation projects. Preference for the grants shall be given to schools that are designed to function as community centers of learning. The total amount of grants that may be awarded per year shall not exceed $500,000.

The Missouri Energy Task Force created by Executive Order 05-46 shall reconvene at least annually to review progress made toward meeting the recommendations made in its final report as issued under the Executive Order. The Task Force shall issue its findings in an annual status report to the Governor and General Assembly.

The Department of Natural Resources shall certify entities who may conduct qualified home energy audits in compliance with the income tax deduction for home energy audits created by this act.

The Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center shall serve as a central coordinator for energy sustainability activities in the state and shall carry out the duties described in the act.

This act is similar to SCS/SB 649 (2007).

ERIKA JAQUES