VML Environmental Quality Policy Committee July 23, 2015 Westin Hotel 1
Presentation of f New Is Issues • Revisions to SWM Law • Resilience Funds 2
Revisions to SWM Law (D (DEQ St Stakeholders Advis isory ry Group – curr rrent proposal) • Combine 3 laws & programs (SWM, ESC, CBPA) into a more seamless regulatory program; • All MS4 localities run a consolidated program (current law); • 2 options for non-MS4 localities: (1) run a consolidated program; or (2) a coordinated program with DEQ. 3
Revisions to SWM Law (c (continued) • Non-MS4 localities can switch between a consolidated or coordinated program on a 5-year cycle (2019, 2024, 2029 …); • Advisory group still needs to (1) address how towns fit into the proposal; and (2) delayed implementation of revisions to law. 4
Revisions to SWM Law (c (continued) Locality “opt out” provision is eliminated . VML members that have are currently “opt out”: City of Emporia City of Lexington City of Martinsville Prince George County* * VML Associate Member 5
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Commonwealth Resilience Fund HB 2205/SB 1428 • Requires VA to join RGGI; • Establishes the Fund – from the proceed of the sale carbon allowances; • 50% to assist localities in Hampton Roads in adapting to sea level rise; • 30% to assist all Virginians in deploying energy efficiency measures; • 10% in economic development assistance to southwest VA; • 5% in renewable energy grants and the deployment on distributed energy infrastructure; and • 5% to DEQ and DMME to administer the grant programs; 7
Is Issues Referred by the Legislative Committee • Municipal Net Metering • Water Quality Funding 8
Municipal Net Metering • Install meter that measures 2-way flow of electricity. • Customers are charged only for the “net” power that they consume from the utility that has accumulated over a designated period; or • If their renewable energy-generating systems make more electricity than is consumed, they may be credited or paid for the excess electricity contributed to the grid over that same period. 9
Potential benefits to localities by raising the eligibility cap on non- residential net metering • Increases the pool of renewable energy projects that could utilize net- metering • Provides greater financial incentive for building on-site renewable energy generation ODU Student Rec Center: 600 solar panels with a generating capacity of approx. 125 kW
Municipal Net Metering (c (conti tinued) VML 2015 legislative program: VML supports (1) allowing local governments to aggregate the electric load of their buildings, facilities, and any other governmental operations for the purpose of net energy metering; and (2) raising the net-metering limit from 500 kilowatts to 2,000 kilowatts for non-residential customers. No legislation was introduced to allow local governments to aggregate their electric load for the purpose of net metering. Legislation (SB 1395 and HB 1950) was adopted that raises the net-metering limit from 500 kilowatts to 1,000 kilowatts for non-residential customers. 11
Water Quality Funding • Recent decline in state financial assistance to aid localities in reducing stormwater pollution (mandated by federal & state permits); • Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF): $35 million in bonds in 2013 $20 million in bonds in 2014 $5 million in cash in 2015 12
Water Quality Funding (c (contin inued) VML 2015 legislative program: Virginia’s local governments face mounting costs for water quality improvements for sewage treatment plants, urban stormwater , combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). In response to federal and state legislation, regulation and policies, VML urges the federal government and the Commonwealth to provide adequate funding for these water quality improvements. 13
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