HR 120 (LSB 5855HH (4) 87)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 120

BY  ANDERSON, GASKILL, COHOON, WOLFE, WINCKLER, LENSING, STAED, KURTH, HUNTER, JACOBY, OLSON, KRESSIG, MASCHER, FORBES, and McCONKEY

A Resolution requesting the legislative council to establish an interim study committee to study renewable energy use in state buildings and facilities.

   WHEREAS, Iowa has an abundant amount of wind, solar, biofuel, and other renewable energy resources; and
   WHEREAS, in 2016, Iowa ranked second among the states in net electricity generation from wind and third in net electricity generation from all nonhydroelectric renewable energy resources; and
   WHEREAS, wind generation provided 36.6 percent of Iowa’s total electricity generation in 2016, a larger share than in any other state; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa is a leader in renewable energy, ranking among the top 10 states in the nation when it comes to investing in renewable energy, according to a recent nationwide report; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa law encourages the deployment of renewable energy and facilitates the implementation of energy management improvements, including by allowing the use of renewable energy, in state buildings and facilities; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa should capitalize on its abundant renewable energy resources to implement the use of renewable energy in state buildings and facilities, saving the state energy costs and advancing its commitment to renewable energy; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives requests the legislative council to authorize and establish an interim study committee, composed of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, to commence meeting during the 2018 Legislative Interim. The purpose of the interim study committee is to develop a strategic plan regarding the feasibility, timeline, and costs of implementing or expanding renewable energy usage in state buildings and facilities. The strategic plan shall give precedence to the implementation or expansion of renewable energy usage in state buildings and facilities with the highest annual energy usage, as identified by the Department of Administrative Services. The interim study committee shall, if appropriate, make recommendations to the General Assembly related to the strategic plan before January 1, 2019.