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Senate Committee Hears Two School Energy Bills

Feb 3, 2010


Senate Committee Hears Two School Energy Bills
The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee heard two bills February 2 that would affect the future energy use by schools.
SB223 ENERGY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (Stewart J) To expand special improvement district energy improvement projects and to expand the municipal solar energy revolving loan program law to include alternative energy.
Sen. Stewart introduced his bill that would expand the revolving loan program included in HB1 (Sykes) to municipalities for alternative energy projects such as wind, solar, geothermal and weatherization.
Stewart said he was approached by members of Athens City Council about offering an amendment to HB1 that would allow municipalities to create a revolving loan fund used to finance installation of solar panels on residential property. This amendment was included in HB1 and municipalities can now take advantage of this program.
The purpose of SB223 is to expand this loan fund to other types of alternative energy for municipalities with some criteria. To establish an alternative energy revolving loan fund, a municipality must first seek initial start-up, “seed” money. This funding can come from a variety of sources including federal grants, bonds and private donations.
After the initial “seed” funding is in place, the municipality would then establish a Special Energy Improvement District, which would allow residents to repay their loan through a special assessment on their property taxes. As borrowers repay their loans, the money collected is directly deposited back into the self-sustaining alternative energy revolving loan fund to finance the next round of installations, Stewart explained.
HB113 SCHOOL ENERGY MEASURES (Foley M) To authorize school boards, for on-site renewable energy generation measures and in the same manner as for energy conservation measures, to enter into installment contracts subject to specified terms of payment.
Chairman Widener suggested that Reps. Foley and Blessing consider offering the school districts a financial incentive of $1,000 to $5,000 to file a Request for Proposal (RFP) as mandated by this legislation.
In initial testimony Foley stated, “If school districts are hesitant and find that these requests for proposals return results that would prove to not be economically beneficial over a 30-year period, they would not have to go further in the pilot program.”
Widener and Sen. Schaffer asked about the administrative cost for the school districts to write an RFP. Blessing said the RFP is one page and would take someone about 10 minutes to fill out. Some solar companies will mail information to the school districts to help them.  Further, Blessing explained that much of this work has already been done by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
Foley and Blessing said they have met with school districts and major stakeholders in the school system and at the end of the day they felt comfortable with this bill.
This bill, which passed in a bipartisan vote in the House, would mandate local school districts to investigate the economic viability of installing renewable energy systems in their buildings, but would not mandate actual installation.
Foley said the legislation allows public schools to be leaders in pushing forward a new green economy while saving costs through renewable energy implementation on campuses across Ohio. The bill does two major things: first, it would remove the barriers for installing renewable energy systems in schools by allowing school boards to implement new onsite renewable energy generating measures.
Before, schools were authorized to implement energy conservation through equipment upgrades, weatherizing and other measures but were not authorized to generate their own electricity from renewable energy resources.
Secondly and most importantly, Foley said, the bill creates a two-tiered program wherein school districts with 5,000 to 10,000 students would be asked to generate 250 kilowatts of energy through renewable sources. The districts with more than 10,000 students would be required to generate 500 kilowatts.

Proposed Park District Bldg. Dept. Bill Heard

Jan 21, 2010

Proposed Park District Bldg. Dept. Bill Heard

The Ohio House Local Government/Public Administration Committee took sponsor testimony on SB 151 Wednesday.  The bill

would add park districts to the existing list of political subdivisions permitted to create a building department.

 

Grendell said the bill would save taxpayer money by allowing park districts to avoid the lengthy process of having

building projects approved by a state, county or city building department. Under the bill, park districts would be

allowed to create a building department that could become certified by the Board of Building Standards to

administer the Ohio Building Code and Ohio Mechanical Code. Instead of submitting plans to a state or local

building department, a park district that elects to create a building department could review and approve its own

building plans.

 

Rep. Blair asked if the problem could be solved by exempting parks from the filing fee, but Grendell said the

delay in waiting for approval is as much of a problem as the cost. He acknowledged that most park districts

would be too small to take advantage of the bill, but larger ones, like the Lake County Metroparks District, which

operates a working farm, could benefit from the bill.

 

Rep. Chandler, the chairwoman of the committee, said that creating a building department would be duplication

of effort, and that the cost of filing fees was not likely to be more than the cost of training or hiring a building

inspector. She also said that sometimes the reason the application process is delayed is because the proposed

building doesn’t meet code requirements, and suggested that allowing parks to approve their own buildings

would be like “asking the fox to guard the henhouse, so to speak.” Chandler said the committee should look at

current building codes and consider revising them so as not to prohibitively affect parks.

Federal Government Grants Ohio $25 Million For Housing Program

Jan 19, 2010

Federal Government Grants Ohio $25 Million For Housing Program
   Ohio was awarded $25.4 million in federal stimulus funding Thursday for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, becoming the only state to receive such direct funding, according to the Department of Development.
    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding came after the state applied for assistance to help the areas of greatest need that did not apply directly to the federal agency for funding, DOD reported. The funds were awarded competitively to eligible local governments, states, and nonprofit organizations.
    Columbus, Dayton, Springfield, Toledo, the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corp., Hamilton County, and The Community Builders, Inc. are slated to receive the funding.
   Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said the money would help protect communities from economic risks associated with foreclosures, abandonment, and the volatile housing market.
   “However, while we appreciate the assistance to several Ohio regions, we are extremely disappointed that communities still reeling from the economic recession received no funding, including Youngstown, Canton, and Akron,” he said.
   “We commit to standing with our regional representatives and congressional delegation and are ready to work with them to advocate for the federal assistance they need,” he said.
   With today’s announcement, received a total of $175.2 million, including a direct allocation to the state, DOD said. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress allocated $2 billion to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2.
    U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Cleveland) said the funding would help “Main Street” recover from the economic crisis.
   “By rebuilding neighborhoods devastated by the economic crisis, we will improve surrounding property values, create new jobs, and foster long-term economic growth,” he said. “By putting vacant properties and lots to good use and targeting funds to the hardest-hit communities, we can rebuild our downtowns and strengthen our communities.”
   DOD said it would allocate its funding to seven nonprofit organizations: the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area, Community Action Commission of Fayette County, Gallia Meigs Community Action Agency, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Neighborhood Development Services, Inc., Ohio Regional Development Corporation, and WSOS (Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa, and Seneca) Community Action Commission.

Ohio House approves AIA-Ohio Backed Sustainability Bill (HB7)

Dec 17, 2009

The Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday passed HB 7 that would set sustainability standards for state construction.  The vote was 54-42.  During the Committee hearing process AIA-Ohio’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) successfully lobbied for an amendment that emphasizes performance standards rather than an endorsement of a single energy rating system.

During the House debate both Representatives Marian Harris (D-Cincinnati) and Connie Pillich (D-Montgomery) paid tribute to AIA-Ohio and others for providing valuable input throughout the Committee hearing process.

Democrats who spoke during the debate all supported HB 7.

Republicans, however expressed concern about several aspects of the bill:

1. Some questioned a successful floor amendment that would allow, but not require an exemption from the bill if state money constituted less than 10 percent of construction costs.

2. Though the bill’s sponsor assured Rep. Ross McGregor (R-72) that the bill applied only to new construction, not rehabilitation, Rep. Robert Mecklenborg (R-30) contended that the language wasn’t clear enough… that the language should state unequivocally that “this bill applies only to new construction.”  (Editors note: OSFC makes no distinction between new and renovated & its new/renovated ratio reportedly is 60/40 with the renovation portion growing). 

3. Mechlenborg also felt that it was excessive to require that energy efficiency exceed by 30 percent the standards developed by the “finest minds in HVAC matters.”

read more…

DAS proposes revised energy rules

Dec 16, 2009

 

DAS proposes revised energy rules 

The State Architect’s Office has  proposed rules that modify Chapter 123:4 of the Ohio Administrative Code. These rules respond to H.B. 251 passed by the 126th General Assembly that required energy efficiency standards for state-funded buildings.
 
In the proposed rules, standards have been established for energy consumption of buildings owned and leased by state agencies, life-cycle cost analysis, certification of building operators, tracking of energy consumption, and procedures to authorize building managers to administer energy installment payment contract projects.
 
The consumption standard utilizes the Architecture 2030 goals, which were recently adopted by the National Governors Association. This standard for new construction starts with the effective date of the rules at 50 percent reduction from the average commercial building energy efficiency and increases the reduction percentage incrementally until the year 2030, when the standard stipulates buildings must be designed as net zero fossil fuel emitting. The standard for renovations establishes a 50 percent reduction and does not increase over time.
 

Copies of the proposed rules are available on the Register of Ohio Web site athttp://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us. A public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 4 in Conference Room  No. 2793 at the Rhodes State Office Tower, 30 E. Broad St., 27th Floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. All interested persons may provide oral or written testimony. Written comments should be sent no later than Dec. 30 to Darren.shulman@das.state.oh.us.

Architects Licensing Bill (SB183) Passes Ohio Senate (30-1)

Dec 16, 2009

Architects Licensing Bill (SB183) Passes Ohio Senate (30-1)


The Ohio Senate Tuesday passed SB 183, which would eliminate a corporate grandfather exemption from the requirements of the Architects Licensing Law. The bill would close a loophole in state regulation of architects, and was requested by the Ohio Architects Board. When the state first implemented specific requirements on who could own an architecture firm, it grandfathered some existing firms to allow them to avoid fees and paperwork. 

However that opened a loophole that came to light recently when the Architecture Board investigated and tried to take action against someone who was practicing architecture without a license. They found that the person had purchased a pre-existing architecture firm that had been grandfathered and thus did not have to comply with licensure requirements.

Senate Construction Reform Effort on Life Support

Dec 11, 2009

 

Senate Construction Reform Effort on Life Support

The Senate inspired effort to include Construction Reform in the Budget Bill, HB 318, is on life support and not expected to survive. House and Senate Democrats, the Black Caucus and even the Governor have now said Construction Reform must be vetted by the normal legislative process.  They said they won’t even discuss it further which prompted the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee to cancel its meetings for the rest of the week.
 
Senate Democratic Leader Capri Cafaro sent a letter to Senate President Bill Harris in support of the House-passed version of HB318, which would delay the final year of the state income tax cut. She also charged the Senate with proposing a number of provisions to the bill “after having been fully apprised that such changes would compromise our support.”
 
“While we are willing to work with you to resolve issues raised by your caucus, the complexity and abundance of issues now tied to HB318 cannot be resolved within the context of this bill,” Cafaro wrote.
 
Meanwhile, House Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) continued to say he does not support anything beyond what the House passed and pushed for a “clean bill” from the Senate. He says he’s prepared to have his chamber meet until Dec. 31, because that is the last day the General Assembly can delay the final tax cut. 
 
Budish said his caucus is working on Construction Reform legislation and plans to pass it before the end of the session– a year from now. He called it a complex bill adding, “We won’t throw a bill together on an ad hoc basis in the dead of night out of public view without those who have a stake having a chance to speak out, and without thought.”

Translated this means the House’s version of Construction Reform likely won’t mirror the current Senate version… and a compromise bill won’t appear in the very near future.

Governor Announces Latest Bipartisan Stimulus Awards for Advanced Energy

Dec 11, 2009

 

Governor Announces Latest Bipartisan Stimulus Awards for Advanced Energy
Gov. Ted Strickland and his energy advisor, Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Executive Director Mark Shanahan (OAQDA), announced seven new awards Tuesday from the $150 million advanced energy portion of the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan.  

Six awards went to non-coal-related projects proposed by Ohio Cooperative Solar of Cleveland; Schmack BioEnergy of Independence; Technology Management, Inc. of Cleveland; Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc. of Fort Loramie; Westerman Nuclear LLC of Bremen; and Xunlight Corporation of Toledo.
 
A seventh award was made to InSeT Systems, LLC of Akron for a coal-related project in Belmont County.
 
“The cutting-edge technologies that these seven companies will employ demonstrate Ohio’s leadership across the advanced energy spectrum,” Strickland said. “The state’s investment in advanced energy technologies is stimulating our economy and creating Ohio jobs today.”
 
Funding for the seven projects was authorized this week by OAQDA, the state agency responsible for administering the Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program. Projects are subject to final review by the state Controlling Board.
 
“These seven outstanding projects demonstrate that the advanced energy program is fulfilling its mission to support state-of-the-art projects on a fast track toward commercialization,” said Shanahan. “Each project has leveraged additional support from other private and public sector organizations, which underscores their high likelihood of success.”
 
On Nov. 30, the governor announced that the federal government had approved 25 wind and solar projects in Ohio to receive more than $13 million in grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) State Energy Program. 
 
“Expanding the advanced energy sector of Ohio’s economy requires the strategic investment of limited resources,” Strickland said. “We are coordinating state and federal dollars to bring additional investment, jobs and growth to Ohio.”
 
The six approved non-coal projects from Ohio’s Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program, and project locations:
 
Ohio Cooperative Solar (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County)
Ohio Cooperative Solar was approved for a $1.53 million loan over six years to assist the company with the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel modules on the roofs of commercial buildings for customers in the University Circle area of Cleveland. Ohio Cooperative Solar will remain the owner and operator of these PV systems. This worker-owned company will provide 20 new full-time jobs to economically disadvantaged neighborhoods through the project.
 
Schmack BioEnergy, LLC (Columbus, Franklin County)
Having recently changed its name to Quasar Energy Group, Schmack is a full service waste-to-energy company and will receive a $3.06 million loan over seven years for the construction of an “anaerobic digester” system in Columbus designed to accept organic waste and capture biogas. The project will create seven new full-time jobs with 14 current full-time jobs retained.
 
Technology Management, Inc. (Cleveland and Highland Heights, Cuyahoga County)  
A developer of modular, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems, the company will receive a loan of $2,537,500 over five years to assist in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and Stark State College of Technology. The project will create 42 new full-time and part time permanent jobs and enable the company to retain 14 jobs.
 
Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc. (Fort Loramie, Shelby County)
The company will receive an $838,440 loan over five years to assist in the establishment of a unique manufacturing process used in lithium-ion battery packs used to power hybrid electric vehicles. An estimated 37 new full-time jobs will be created by the project with another 120 full-time jobs retained.
 
Westerman Nuclear LLC (Bremen, Fairfield County)
The company was approved for a five-year loan in the amount of $2.04 million for the construction of a new manufacturing facility to supply components to the nuclear industry in the U.S. and around the world. An estimated 50 new full-time jobs will be created by the project, with another 183 full-time jobs retained.
 
Xunlight Corporation (Toledo, Lucas County)
The company will receive a loan of $4.06 million over five years to significantly expand its capacity for manufacturing its amorphous silicon thin-film photovoltaic modules. The company already has customers who have signed either supply agreements or letters of intent to purchase the modules. An estimated 181 full-time jobs will be created by the project, with another 75 jobs retained.
 
OAQDA’s approved coal-related project:
 
InSeT Systems LLC (Beallsville, Belmont County)
The company will receive a grant of $330,586 to assist in the expansion of the company’s patented Internal Sensor Tracking system, which provides the capability of real-time tracking of miners working in underground mines. An estimated 46-60 new full-time jobs will be created by the project with another four full-time jobs retained.
 
The Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program includes $84 million for non-coal related technology projects and $66 million for clean coal projects. It is part of the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan signed into law by Strickland in June 2008.

Meanwhile, OAQDA approved two additional projects Tuesday that will employ Schmack technology. The agency authorized a bond issuance of up to $3 million to assist Zanesville Energy in the financing of a biomass-to-energy facility in Zanesville. OAQDA also authorized another bond of up to $3 million to assist Buckeye Biogas in the financing of a biomass-to-energy facility at Ohio State University’s Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster.
 
Finally, OAQDA approved a grant not to exceed $99,710 in support of “Green Fleets 2010: Transforming Ohio’s Transportation Energy Sector.” The project builds on work done over several years by Clean Fuels. The organization recently competed for, and received, a Clean Cities grant of more than $11 million.

Senate Committee Clears Architect’s Licensing Bill (SB 183)

Dec 10, 2009

 


Senate Committee Clears Architect’s Licensing Bill (SB 183)
The Senate Insurance Commerce and Labor Committee has approved SB 183, which would eliminate a corporate grandfather exemption from the requirements of the Architects Licensing Law. 

The bill would close a loophole in state regulation of architects, and had been requested by the Ohio Architects Board. When the state first implemented specific requirements on who could own an architecture firm, it grandfathered some existing firms to allow them to avoid fees and paperwork. However that opened a loophole that came to light recently when the Architecture Board investigated and tried to take action against someone who was practicing architecture without a license. They found out that the person had purchased a pre-existing architecture firm that had been grandfathered and thus did not have to comply with licensure requirements.

Senate Committee Hears Two School Energy Bills

Feb 3, 2010


Senate Committee Hears Two School Energy Bills
The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee heard two bills February 2 that would affect the future energy use by schools.
SB223 ENERGY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (Stewart J) To expand special improvement district energy improvement projects and to expand the municipal solar energy revolving loan program law to include alternative energy.
Sen. Stewart introduced his bill that would expand the revolving loan program included in HB1 (Sykes) to municipalities for alternative energy projects such as wind, solar, geothermal and weatherization.
Stewart said he was approached by members of Athens City Council about offering an amendment to HB1 that would allow municipalities to create a revolving loan fund used to finance installation of solar panels on residential property. This amendment was included in HB1 and municipalities can now take advantage of this program.
The purpose of SB223 is to expand this loan fund to other types of alternative energy for municipalities with some criteria. To establish an alternative energy revolving loan fund, a municipality must first seek initial start-up, “seed” money. This funding can come from a variety of sources including federal grants, bonds and private donations.
After the initial “seed” funding is in place, the municipality would then establish a Special Energy Improvement District, which would allow residents to repay their loan through a special assessment on their property taxes. As borrowers repay their loans, the money collected is directly deposited back into the self-sustaining alternative energy revolving loan fund to finance the next round of installations, Stewart explained.
HB113 SCHOOL ENERGY MEASURES (Foley M) To authorize school boards, for on-site renewable energy generation measures and in the same manner as for energy conservation measures, to enter into installment contracts subject to specified terms of payment.
Chairman Widener suggested that Reps. Foley and Blessing consider offering the school districts a financial incentive of $1,000 to $5,000 to file a Request for Proposal (RFP) as mandated by this legislation.
In initial testimony Foley stated, “If school districts are hesitant and find that these requests for proposals return results that would prove to not be economically beneficial over a 30-year period, they would not have to go further in the pilot program.”
Widener and Sen. Schaffer asked about the administrative cost for the school districts to write an RFP. Blessing said the RFP is one page and would take someone about 10 minutes to fill out. Some solar companies will mail information to the school districts to help them.  Further, Blessing explained that much of this work has already been done by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
Foley and Blessing said they have met with school districts and major stakeholders in the school system and at the end of the day they felt comfortable with this bill.
This bill, which passed in a bipartisan vote in the House, would mandate local school districts to investigate the economic viability of installing renewable energy systems in their buildings, but would not mandate actual installation.
Foley said the legislation allows public schools to be leaders in pushing forward a new green economy while saving costs through renewable energy implementation on campuses across Ohio. The bill does two major things: first, it would remove the barriers for installing renewable energy systems in schools by allowing school boards to implement new onsite renewable energy generating measures.
Before, schools were authorized to implement energy conservation through equipment upgrades, weatherizing and other measures but were not authorized to generate their own electricity from renewable energy resources.
Secondly and most importantly, Foley said, the bill creates a two-tiered program wherein school districts with 5,000 to 10,000 students would be asked to generate 250 kilowatts of energy through renewable sources. The districts with more than 10,000 students would be required to generate 500 kilowatts.

Proposed Park District Bldg. Dept. Bill Heard

Jan 21, 2010

Proposed Park District Bldg. Dept. Bill Heard

The Ohio House Local Government/Public Administration Committee took sponsor testimony on SB 151 Wednesday.  The bill

would add park districts to the existing list of political subdivisions permitted to create a building department.

 

Grendell said the bill would save taxpayer money by allowing park districts to avoid the lengthy process of having

building projects approved by a state, county or city building department. Under the bill, park districts would be

allowed to create a building department that could become certified by the Board of Building Standards to

administer the Ohio Building Code and Ohio Mechanical Code. Instead of submitting plans to a state or local

building department, a park district that elects to create a building department could review and approve its own

building plans.

 

Rep. Blair asked if the problem could be solved by exempting parks from the filing fee, but Grendell said the

delay in waiting for approval is as much of a problem as the cost. He acknowledged that most park districts

would be too small to take advantage of the bill, but larger ones, like the Lake County Metroparks District, which

operates a working farm, could benefit from the bill.

 

Rep. Chandler, the chairwoman of the committee, said that creating a building department would be duplication

of effort, and that the cost of filing fees was not likely to be more than the cost of training or hiring a building

inspector. She also said that sometimes the reason the application process is delayed is because the proposed

building doesn’t meet code requirements, and suggested that allowing parks to approve their own buildings

would be like “asking the fox to guard the henhouse, so to speak.” Chandler said the committee should look at

current building codes and consider revising them so as not to prohibitively affect parks.

Federal Government Grants Ohio $25 Million For Housing Program

Jan 19, 2010

Federal Government Grants Ohio $25 Million For Housing Program
   Ohio was awarded $25.4 million in federal stimulus funding Thursday for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, becoming the only state to receive such direct funding, according to the Department of Development.
    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding came after the state applied for assistance to help the areas of greatest need that did not apply directly to the federal agency for funding, DOD reported. The funds were awarded competitively to eligible local governments, states, and nonprofit organizations.
    Columbus, Dayton, Springfield, Toledo, the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corp., Hamilton County, and The Community Builders, Inc. are slated to receive the funding.
   Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said the money would help protect communities from economic risks associated with foreclosures, abandonment, and the volatile housing market.
   “However, while we appreciate the assistance to several Ohio regions, we are extremely disappointed that communities still reeling from the economic recession received no funding, including Youngstown, Canton, and Akron,” he said.
   “We commit to standing with our regional representatives and congressional delegation and are ready to work with them to advocate for the federal assistance they need,” he said.
   With today’s announcement, received a total of $175.2 million, including a direct allocation to the state, DOD said. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress allocated $2 billion to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2.
    U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Cleveland) said the funding would help “Main Street” recover from the economic crisis.
   “By rebuilding neighborhoods devastated by the economic crisis, we will improve surrounding property values, create new jobs, and foster long-term economic growth,” he said. “By putting vacant properties and lots to good use and targeting funds to the hardest-hit communities, we can rebuild our downtowns and strengthen our communities.”
   DOD said it would allocate its funding to seven nonprofit organizations: the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area, Community Action Commission of Fayette County, Gallia Meigs Community Action Agency, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Neighborhood Development Services, Inc., Ohio Regional Development Corporation, and WSOS (Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa, and Seneca) Community Action Commission.

Ohio House approves AIA-Ohio Backed Sustainability Bill (HB7)

Dec 17, 2009

The Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday passed HB 7 that would set sustainability standards for state construction.  The vote was 54-42.  During the Committee hearing process AIA-Ohio’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) successfully lobbied for an amendment that emphasizes performance standards rather than an endorsement of a single energy rating system.

During the House debate both Representatives Marian Harris (D-Cincinnati) and Connie Pillich (D-Montgomery) paid tribute to AIA-Ohio and others for providing valuable input throughout the Committee hearing process.

Democrats who spoke during the debate all supported HB 7.

Republicans, however expressed concern about several aspects of the bill:

1. Some questioned a successful floor amendment that would allow, but not require an exemption from the bill if state money constituted less than 10 percent of construction costs.

2. Though the bill’s sponsor assured Rep. Ross McGregor (R-72) that the bill applied only to new construction, not rehabilitation, Rep. Robert Mecklenborg (R-30) contended that the language wasn’t clear enough… that the language should state unequivocally that “this bill applies only to new construction.”  (Editors note: OSFC makes no distinction between new and renovated & its new/renovated ratio reportedly is 60/40 with the renovation portion growing). 

3. Mechlenborg also felt that it was excessive to require that energy efficiency exceed by 30 percent the standards developed by the “finest minds in HVAC matters.”

read more…

DAS proposes revised energy rules

Dec 16, 2009

 

DAS proposes revised energy rules 

The State Architect’s Office has  proposed rules that modify Chapter 123:4 of the Ohio Administrative Code. These rules respond to H.B. 251 passed by the 126th General Assembly that required energy efficiency standards for state-funded buildings.
 
In the proposed rules, standards have been established for energy consumption of buildings owned and leased by state agencies, life-cycle cost analysis, certification of building operators, tracking of energy consumption, and procedures to authorize building managers to administer energy installment payment contract projects.
 
The consumption standard utilizes the Architecture 2030 goals, which were recently adopted by the National Governors Association. This standard for new construction starts with the effective date of the rules at 50 percent reduction from the average commercial building energy efficiency and increases the reduction percentage incrementally until the year 2030, when the standard stipulates buildings must be designed as net zero fossil fuel emitting. The standard for renovations establishes a 50 percent reduction and does not increase over time.
 

Copies of the proposed rules are available on the Register of Ohio Web site athttp://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us. A public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 4 in Conference Room  No. 2793 at the Rhodes State Office Tower, 30 E. Broad St., 27th Floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. All interested persons may provide oral or written testimony. Written comments should be sent no later than Dec. 30 to Darren.shulman@das.state.oh.us.

Architects Licensing Bill (SB183) Passes Ohio Senate (30-1)

Dec 16, 2009

Architects Licensing Bill (SB183) Passes Ohio Senate (30-1)


The Ohio Senate Tuesday passed SB 183, which would eliminate a corporate grandfather exemption from the requirements of the Architects Licensing Law. The bill would close a loophole in state regulation of architects, and was requested by the Ohio Architects Board. When the state first implemented specific requirements on who could own an architecture firm, it grandfathered some existing firms to allow them to avoid fees and paperwork. 

However that opened a loophole that came to light recently when the Architecture Board investigated and tried to take action against someone who was practicing architecture without a license. They found that the person had purchased a pre-existing architecture firm that had been grandfathered and thus did not have to comply with licensure requirements.

Senate Construction Reform Effort on Life Support

Dec 11, 2009

 

Senate Construction Reform Effort on Life Support

The Senate inspired effort to include Construction Reform in the Budget Bill, HB 318, is on life support and not expected to survive. House and Senate Democrats, the Black Caucus and even the Governor have now said Construction Reform must be vetted by the normal legislative process.  They said they won’t even discuss it further which prompted the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee to cancel its meetings for the rest of the week.
 
Senate Democratic Leader Capri Cafaro sent a letter to Senate President Bill Harris in support of the House-passed version of HB318, which would delay the final year of the state income tax cut. She also charged the Senate with proposing a number of provisions to the bill “after having been fully apprised that such changes would compromise our support.”
 
“While we are willing to work with you to resolve issues raised by your caucus, the complexity and abundance of issues now tied to HB318 cannot be resolved within the context of this bill,” Cafaro wrote.
 
Meanwhile, House Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) continued to say he does not support anything beyond what the House passed and pushed for a “clean bill” from the Senate. He says he’s prepared to have his chamber meet until Dec. 31, because that is the last day the General Assembly can delay the final tax cut. 
 
Budish said his caucus is working on Construction Reform legislation and plans to pass it before the end of the session– a year from now. He called it a complex bill adding, “We won’t throw a bill together on an ad hoc basis in the dead of night out of public view without those who have a stake having a chance to speak out, and without thought.”

Translated this means the House’s version of Construction Reform likely won’t mirror the current Senate version… and a compromise bill won’t appear in the very near future.

Governor Announces Latest Bipartisan Stimulus Awards for Advanced Energy

Dec 11, 2009

 

Governor Announces Latest Bipartisan Stimulus Awards for Advanced Energy
Gov. Ted Strickland and his energy advisor, Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Executive Director Mark Shanahan (OAQDA), announced seven new awards Tuesday from the $150 million advanced energy portion of the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan.  

Six awards went to non-coal-related projects proposed by Ohio Cooperative Solar of Cleveland; Schmack BioEnergy of Independence; Technology Management, Inc. of Cleveland; Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc. of Fort Loramie; Westerman Nuclear LLC of Bremen; and Xunlight Corporation of Toledo.
 
A seventh award was made to InSeT Systems, LLC of Akron for a coal-related project in Belmont County.
 
“The cutting-edge technologies that these seven companies will employ demonstrate Ohio’s leadership across the advanced energy spectrum,” Strickland said. “The state’s investment in advanced energy technologies is stimulating our economy and creating Ohio jobs today.”
 
Funding for the seven projects was authorized this week by OAQDA, the state agency responsible for administering the Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program. Projects are subject to final review by the state Controlling Board.
 
“These seven outstanding projects demonstrate that the advanced energy program is fulfilling its mission to support state-of-the-art projects on a fast track toward commercialization,” said Shanahan. “Each project has leveraged additional support from other private and public sector organizations, which underscores their high likelihood of success.”
 
On Nov. 30, the governor announced that the federal government had approved 25 wind and solar projects in Ohio to receive more than $13 million in grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) State Energy Program. 
 
“Expanding the advanced energy sector of Ohio’s economy requires the strategic investment of limited resources,” Strickland said. “We are coordinating state and federal dollars to bring additional investment, jobs and growth to Ohio.”
 
The six approved non-coal projects from Ohio’s Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program, and project locations:
 
Ohio Cooperative Solar (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County)
Ohio Cooperative Solar was approved for a $1.53 million loan over six years to assist the company with the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel modules on the roofs of commercial buildings for customers in the University Circle area of Cleveland. Ohio Cooperative Solar will remain the owner and operator of these PV systems. This worker-owned company will provide 20 new full-time jobs to economically disadvantaged neighborhoods through the project.
 
Schmack BioEnergy, LLC (Columbus, Franklin County)
Having recently changed its name to Quasar Energy Group, Schmack is a full service waste-to-energy company and will receive a $3.06 million loan over seven years for the construction of an “anaerobic digester” system in Columbus designed to accept organic waste and capture biogas. The project will create seven new full-time jobs with 14 current full-time jobs retained.
 
Technology Management, Inc. (Cleveland and Highland Heights, Cuyahoga County)  
A developer of modular, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems, the company will receive a loan of $2,537,500 over five years to assist in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and Stark State College of Technology. The project will create 42 new full-time and part time permanent jobs and enable the company to retain 14 jobs.
 
Wayne Trail Technologies, Inc. (Fort Loramie, Shelby County)
The company will receive an $838,440 loan over five years to assist in the establishment of a unique manufacturing process used in lithium-ion battery packs used to power hybrid electric vehicles. An estimated 37 new full-time jobs will be created by the project with another 120 full-time jobs retained.
 
Westerman Nuclear LLC (Bremen, Fairfield County)
The company was approved for a five-year loan in the amount of $2.04 million for the construction of a new manufacturing facility to supply components to the nuclear industry in the U.S. and around the world. An estimated 50 new full-time jobs will be created by the project, with another 183 full-time jobs retained.
 
Xunlight Corporation (Toledo, Lucas County)
The company will receive a loan of $4.06 million over five years to significantly expand its capacity for manufacturing its amorphous silicon thin-film photovoltaic modules. The company already has customers who have signed either supply agreements or letters of intent to purchase the modules. An estimated 181 full-time jobs will be created by the project, with another 75 jobs retained.
 
OAQDA’s approved coal-related project:
 
InSeT Systems LLC (Beallsville, Belmont County)
The company will receive a grant of $330,586 to assist in the expansion of the company’s patented Internal Sensor Tracking system, which provides the capability of real-time tracking of miners working in underground mines. An estimated 46-60 new full-time jobs will be created by the project with another four full-time jobs retained.
 
The Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program includes $84 million for non-coal related technology projects and $66 million for clean coal projects. It is part of the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan signed into law by Strickland in June 2008.

Meanwhile, OAQDA approved two additional projects Tuesday that will employ Schmack technology. The agency authorized a bond issuance of up to $3 million to assist Zanesville Energy in the financing of a biomass-to-energy facility in Zanesville. OAQDA also authorized another bond of up to $3 million to assist Buckeye Biogas in the financing of a biomass-to-energy facility at Ohio State University’s Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster.
 
Finally, OAQDA approved a grant not to exceed $99,710 in support of “Green Fleets 2010: Transforming Ohio’s Transportation Energy Sector.” The project builds on work done over several years by Clean Fuels. The organization recently competed for, and received, a Clean Cities grant of more than $11 million.

Senate Committee Clears Architect’s Licensing Bill (SB 183)

Dec 10, 2009

 


Senate Committee Clears Architect’s Licensing Bill (SB 183)
The Senate Insurance Commerce and Labor Committee has approved SB 183, which would eliminate a corporate grandfather exemption from the requirements of the Architects Licensing Law. 

The bill would close a loophole in state regulation of architects, and had been requested by the Ohio Architects Board. When the state first implemented specific requirements on who could own an architecture firm, it grandfathered some existing firms to allow them to avoid fees and paperwork. However that opened a loophole that came to light recently when the Architecture Board investigated and tried to take action against someone who was practicing architecture without a license. They found out that the person had purchased a pre-existing architecture firm that had been grandfathered and thus did not have to comply with licensure requirements.