Green Financing in Municipalities Across Virginia

For a long time, we have heard people talking about going green and creating green jobs, but often it has been lip service with very few specific proposals that would do much to to change the economics of individual decision-making.   While government rules to mandate greener technologies and incentives to spur green technology are vitally important, sometimes simple solutions make bigger changes faster.   Green jobs don't just appear, but must be created because vast numbers of individuals run the numbers in their own budgets, and find that installing a solar water heater or other green technology saves them money or at worst breaks even.   Our current climate crisis won't be addressed by expecting us all to be virtuous.  We have to make it economically feasible for people, especially in the economic downturn we find ourselves in.  So, finally, someone somewhere (Berkeley, CA's First Solar initiative might be the first) came up with the brilliant idea that energy saving efforts should have the upfront costs of installing green technology or paying for that home energy audit be offset by the yearly incremental savings of reduced energy bills.  Together with other like-minded residents in your municipality or other prescribed geography, the costs are financed over time and assessed incrementally on an individual's property tax or sewer/utility bill.  No more will you run the numbers and say, "I can't guarantee staying in this house for 25 years, so I'm not sure installing this geothermal heat exchange system makes sense for me." 

So, join with other residents who think the green revolution begins here and now and in their own house or business.  Not in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years, but right now.  Look up the details of Senate bill 1212, and urge Governor Kaine to pass it.  Local municipalities can begin drafting ordinances now (although the Virginia Municipal League is drafting a model ordinance that could save your locality considerable time and energy -- I'll post more here as I find out more). 

Sign this petition to show your support for this bill and express your interest as well in investing in some energy-saving measure for your home or business (describe what you'd like done).  The goal would be to share this list locally with the Alexandria City Council, but others are welcome to sign and show their support as well.