Public Policy Detail

May 4, 2007

Dear State Representative:
 
Re: H.520- Comprehensive Energy Bill

VBSR is a statewide business association whose mission is to foster a business ethic that recognizes the opportunity and responsibility of the business community to set a high standard for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of our citizens. VBSR believes that making profits and forwarding a social mission are mutually supportive and that successful economic environment requires some degree of regulatory predictability.

We believe that conservation of energy, and development of renewable energy, are the means by which we can obtain energy independence and energy cost reduction.  We believe that short-term investments in conservation and renewable energy development will bring long-term savings and economic benefit.  Energy conservation is good for business.

VBSR wholeheartedly supports the development of the “all-fuels” utility in H.520 (formerly S.94) and believes that this program will bring numerous economic, environmental, and societal benefits.
 
VBSR has long standing policy of “fair taxes”; of taxing “bads” to incent “goods”. Our energy position is to move away from carbon based and nuclear energy sources towards conservation and renewable energy sources.   

Regarding H.520 we believe:

1. Without funding for the all-fuels utility the bill is hollow.
2. Funding for the bill should be linked to desired behavior and environmental impact.
   
3. The preferred option for funding the all fuels utility is a 1% surcharge on heating fuels with an adjustment mechanism based on the ability to pay.
   
4. Other acceptable funding methods are those that incent users to use less energy, or that encourage movement away from carbon based and nuclear energy sources.
5. We believe the “unanticipated revenue surcharge” recently included in the Senate-passed is an acceptable revenue source provided the fee is connected to the unanticipated storage of nuclear waste. (When the waste is removed, the payments cease).
   

We urge you to pass this critical piece of legislation.  Please vote in support of a bill that includes funding for the all-fuels efficiency utility.

Sincerely yours,

Will Patten, VBSR
Executive Director

Pat Heffernan, Chair
VBSR Public Policy Committee

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