Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level 60% lower than 2003 by 2030.

Highlights:

• Defines “solar-ready” as designed, engineered, and constructed so that at least 40% of the roof area is (Sec. 1-12–511-4):

• Free from obstructions; and

• Capable of accepting the installation of solar panels.

• Alleges the state has the ingenuity to reduce the threat of global warming and make greenhouse gas reductions a part of the State’s future by achieving a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2006 levels by 2020 and by preparing a plan to meet a longer-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% from 2006 levels by 2050 achieving net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 in a manner that promotes new “green” jobs and protects existing jobs and the State’s economic well–being (Sec. 1-2–1201-4).

• Specifies the social cost of carbon will meet the following conditions (Sec. 1-2–1206-10.B-2): 

• Be determined by the Department of Environment;

• Reflect the health, economic and environmental costs of carbon; and

• Be at least $50 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.

• Requires energy use reductions that exceed the 2018 international energy conservation code by at least (Sec. 1-12–511-2.I):

• 30% for building permit applications received from January 1st, 2024, through December 31st, 2026, inclusive;

• 40% for building permit applications received from January 1st, 2027, through December 31st, 2029, inclusive; and

• 60% for building permit applications received from January 1st, 2030, through December 31st, 2032, inclusive.

• Authorizes a local jurisdiction to waive the solar-ready requirement for a building on a specific finding that (Sec. 1-12–511-2):

• Incident solar radiation at the building site is less than 75% of incident solar radiation at an open site; or

• Shadow studies indicate that 25% of a building’s roof area will be in the shadow.

• Requires the Department of Environment to adopt regulations requiring new covered buildings to be solar-ready if the building meets the following criteria on or before July 1st, 2022 (Sec. 1-12–511.D-1): 

• Will have 20,000 square ft. or more of continuous roof space, excluding the parking area; and

• Will be 20 stories or less, above grade plane.

• Specifies the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund may only be used for the implementation of nonpoint source pollution control projects to (Sec. 1-8–2A–02.f-1):

• Support State and local watershed implementation plans by targeting limited financial resources on the most effective nonpoint source pollution control projects; and

• Improve the health of the Atlantic Coastal Bays and their tributaries.

Full Bill Text