Archive: Energy Environment and Agriculture Task Force

  • Updating Net Metering Policies Resolution January 15, 2014

    Updating Net Metering Policies Resolution WHEREAS, the U.S. electric grid delivers a product essential to all Americans; and WHEREAS, electricity runs our economy—it powers our homes, businesses, industries, and the smart technologies and innovations that enhance our quality of life; and WHEREAS, the electric power industry is leading the transformation to make the grid more flexible and more resilient to meet the growing demands of our digital society; and WHEREAS, the electric power industry directly employs more than 500,000 American workers and is the nation’s most capital-intensive industry, investing more than $90 billion per year, on average, in capital expenditures, […]

  • Resolution Concerning EPA Proposed Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for New and Existing Fossil-Fueled Power Plants January 15, 2014

    Resolution Concerning EPA Proposed Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for New and Existing Fossil-Fueled Power Plants Summary: This resolution establishes a state’s responsibility for establishing emission standards and recognizes EPA’s responsibility for establishing guidelines which, when done properly, will lead to cost effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions without requiring units retirement or a curtailment of operations. This resolution is meant to be a template made up of a series of factual statements (“WHEREAS” clauses) and actions statements (“RESOLVED”) clauses, for each state to review after which the state can select the clauses that best reflect the state’s individual priorities while […]

  • Resolution in Response to EPA’s Plan to Regulate Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act January 15, 2014

    Resolution in Response to EPA’s Plan to Regulate Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act WHEREAS, the President has directed EPA to issue regulations setting greenhouse gas emission New Source Performance Standards for new power plants and for modified, reconstructed, and existing power plants under the Clean Air Act; and WHEREAS, EPA has proposed regulations for greenhouse gases from new fossil fueled power plants and has announced its intention to issue proposed regulations for existing fossil fueled power plants by June 1, 2014; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court has recently decided to review whether the EPA has the authority […]

  • Resolution in Opposition to a Carbon Tax October 11, 2013

    Resolution in Opposition to a Carbon Tax Summary This resolution highlights the important role that energy independence plays in U.S. national security, and that access to electricity is both an imperative for Americans’ well-being and for economic growth.  A carbon tax would have an immediate consequence of increased prices for gasoline and electricity with a costly impact on low-income families and businesses alike.  Such a tax would also be inconsistent with ALEC’s Principles of Taxation, because it would use the tax code as a means of manipulating consumer choices.  For these reasons, the resolution concludes that ALEC should oppose a […]

  • Pre-emption of Local Agriculture Laws Act October 11, 2013

    Pre-emption of Local Agriculture Laws Act Summary Makes legislative finding and declaration that regulation of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed and products of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed be reserved to state. Prohibits enactment or enforcement of local measures to regulate agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed or products of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed. Model Policy Section 1. The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that: (1) The production and use of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed and products of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed are of substantial economic […]

  • Resolution in Support of Electric Power Grid Modernization Principles October 11, 2013

    Resolution in Support of Electric Power Grid Modernization Principles Summary Several state legislatures and state public utility commissions are examining ways to modernize their electric power grids. These efforts to modernize electric power grids have raised significant issues relating to reliability, efficiency, privacy, and cybersecurity, among others, for policymakers and consumers to consider. To assist policymakers as they consider these issues, this resolution establishes seven foundational principles for electric power grid modernization. Model Policy WHEREAS, ALEC supports the modernization of the electric power grid to make it more efficient and offer benefits to consumers; and WHEREAS, ALEC has previously adopted […]

  • Renewable Energy Credit Act October 11, 2013

    Renewable Energy Credit Act Summary: This act promotes the full use of voluntary markets to satisfy existing Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) requirements, while maintaining the existing structure and operation of the state’s electricity market and relationships with regional and national organizations. It removes the limitation on electricity providers restricting the amount of renewable energy credits (RECs) that can be used to comply with a state based annual renewable energy mandate and allows unlimited banking of credits to be used for future requirements.  The bill also provides an avenue for RECs to fully satisfy RPS compliance schedules before their sunset year […]

  • The Market-Power Renewables Act October 11, 2013

    The Market-Power Renewables Act Section 1. Intent The legislature finds that the current system of mandated purchase of renewable energy has created negative economic and environmental consequences. The high cost of renewable energy is paid by all state citizens, including those who already struggle to pay the cost of electricity. Renewable portfolio standards actually limit the amount of renewable energy sold by removing the incentive for electric utilities or electricity ratepayers to purchase anything above the mandated amounts. The legislature further finds that the public wishes to have the freedom to purchase renewable energy. Removing regulatory burdens that prevent electricity […]

  • Resolution in support of modernizing the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 August 26, 2013

    Resolution in support of modernizing the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 WHEREAS, American consumers deserve to have confidence that the products they buy, when used for their intended purposes, are safe; and WHEREAS, a federal chemical management program should place protecting the public health – including children’s health — as its highest priority; and WHEREAS, the federal chemical management program should preserve America’s role as the world’s leading innovator and employer in the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce and use of chemicals; and WHEREAS, the current chemical management law, the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) was signed into […]

  • Resolution in Support of Agriculture Research Charities August 26, 2013

    Resolution in Support of Agriculture Research Charities Whereas, federal spending on agricultural research has already recently been trending downward, and further needed spending reform is likely to result in further cuts, Whereas, agriculture will be called upon to feed a world population approaching 9.3 billion by 2050, despite shrinking land and water resources, concerns regarding fertilizer, pesticides and other productivity inputs, and increasing demand for protein, oil and other natural resources. Whereas, modern U.S. agriculture is feeding and clothing the world; providing a safe, economical food supply; reducing the U.S. trade deficit; and employing more than 800,000 people domestically, Whereas, […]