Internet Sales Tax Fairness - Colorado

smitchell — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:22:25 -0600

In February 2010, Colorado passed a law that requires remote retailers (internet and catalog companies) that do not collect state sales taxes to notify Colorado customers that they owe the tax on their purchases at the time of the sale, send customers an annual statement detailing all of their purchases and the amount of tax owed, and report this information to the state.

Regional Plug-In Electric Vehicle Planning - Southern California

jbailey — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:42:58 -0600

This effort was announced in December 2009 and is a nice example of the start of a regional effort to do some comprehensive planning to facilitate the smooth transition to electric vehicles. The initiative is a collaboration between cities, utilities, automakers and others in the Southern California region who will work actively to support and build the necessary infrastructure for the commercial launch of electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Systems Required For New Buildings – Vancouver, British Columbia

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:18:59 -0600

Normal.dotm 0 0 1 683 3895 Institute for Local Self-Reliance 32 7 4783 12.0 Vancouver has established an electric vehicle (EV) charging system requirement for new construction - both single family and multi-family properties. In October 2009, a new rule requires 20% of the parking spots in new multi-family developments in Vancouver to have charging ports for electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Rates

jbailey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:39:37 -0600

With respect to charging electric vehicles (EVs), the ideal scenario would result in a maximum amount of renewable energy flowing into the vehicle's battery packs while at the same time utilizing our existing infrastructure (power plants, transmission/distribution lines) as efficiently as possible. To meet this scenario, the timing of charging up vehicles must be compared to the timing of power plant

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Requirement

jbailey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:43:14 -0600

The idea here would be to get a head start on the emerging market penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) and enact legislation that opens a regulatory proceeding covering electric utility related EV issues. At a minimum, the legislation should require utilities to develop a coordinated infrastructure plan for EVs. Issues included would be: ensuring interoperability of EV equipment, requirements for infrastructure, cost recovery, smart grid integration, time-of-use (TOU) pricing, other rate and billing issues. The proceeding should also bring to light a clear picture of what power plants will be operating during the likeliest charging periods for EVs.

Locally Grown Labeling - Vermont

smitchell — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:01:23 -0500

To protect its citizens from deceptive advertising, the state of Vermont implemented a law in 2008 that says that labels like "local" and "locally grown" may be applied only to food and other goods that originate in Vermont or within 30 miles of where they are being sold.

Broadband Infrastructure Loan Program - Virginia

christopher — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:18:32 -0500

States that want to spur broadband in their state would do well to look at the Virginia Resources Authority. Created in 1984, the VRA helps municipalities and other public entities to secure funding for important infrastructure projects. In 25 years, the VRA has helped create more than $3.1 billion in communities around the state.

In 2009, Joe May of the House of Delegates led an effort to improve broadband access in communities across the state with HB 2665 - creating the Broadband Infrastructure Loan Fund, a revolving loan program modeled on the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund.

Internet Sales Tax Fairness - North Carolina

smitchell — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:41:10 -0500

Following the lead of New York and Rhode Island, in August 2009, North Carolina passed a budget that includes a new provision that requires large e-commerce retailers to collect and remit state sales taxes even if they have no physical operation in the state.

Enabling Municipal Energy Financing - Vermont

jfarrell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:56:06 -0500

This Vermont law allows cities to create districts, subject to voter approval, for financing of designed renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

HB 446 - May 2009 [pdf]

Enabling Municipal Energy Financing - Maryland

jfarrell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:55:20 -0500

This Maryland law allows municipalities and counties to bond for funds used to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for property owners.

HB 1567 - May 2009 (Program starts Oct 2009) [pdf]

Enabling Municipal Energy Financing - Virginia

jfarrell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:54:28 -0500

This Virginia law allows for property-tax based public financing of "clean energy" and energy efficiency for all cities and counties.

SB 1212 - March 2009

Enabling Municipal Energy Financing - Ohio

jfarrell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:53:40 -0500

The Ohio law allows municipalities and townships to issue bonds to loan money for PV or solar thermal projects in energy improvement districts.

HB 1 - July 2009 [pdf]

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