HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2010.10.06 - 10307MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #10265
BY: Commissioners Jim Nash, District #15, and Marcia Gershenson, District #17
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — IN SUPPORT OF IMMEDIATE CONGRESSIONAL
ACTION TO AUTHORIZE LEGISLATION ALLOWING PROPERTY ASSESSED
CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS
TO: The Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladles and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, utility bills represent a major portion of operating costs for home and business
owners; and
WHEREAS, persistent unemployment, particularly in the construction industry, continues to
burden our families and communities; and
WHEREAS, energy security and reliance on fossil fuels continue to threaten public health and
the environment; and
WHEREAS, residential and commercial buildings consume nearly 40% of all electricity and are
responsible for 40% of U.S. annual carbon dioxide emissions; and
WHEREAS, investing in cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to
homes and businesses can save energy, cut utility bills, create thousands of local jobs, reduce
reliance on fossil fuels, and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, the upfront cost and potentially long payback periods prevent property owners from
making otherwise cost-effective clean energy improvements; and
WHEREAS, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs are an innovative
local government solution to help property owners finance energy efficiency and renewable
energy improvements — such as energy efficient boilers, upgraded insulation, new windows,
solar installations, etc. — to their homes and businesses; and
WHEREAS, a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bond is a bond where the proceeds are
provided to commercial and residential property owners to finance energy retrofits (efficiency
measures and small renewable energy systems) and who then repay the financing over 20
years via an annual assessment on their property tax bill; and
WHEREAS, PACE bonds can be issued by municipal financing districts or finance companies
and the proceeds can be typically used to retrofit both commercial and residential properties;
and
WHEREAS, twenty-two states have passed laws, and bills have passed both houses in
Lansing, enabling local governments to develop PACE programs; and
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WHEREAS, the White House and the U.S, Department of Energy strongly support PACE, have
dedicated $150 million to develop local PACE programs and issued guidelines to ensure that
PACE programs meet safety and soundness requirements and adequately protect both bond
buyers and property owners; and
WHEREAS, despite PACE's great promise. the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHA) and
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on July 6th issued statements that
immediately forced existing PACE programs to halt operations and froze the development of
dozens of PACE programs nationwide; and.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners,
hereby urges the State of Michigan's congressional delegation to support legislation that clearly
guarantees local governments the right to assess special taxes for clean energy programs and
restore the promise of PACE.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges the
State of Michigan's congressional delegation to support legislation that clearly guarantees local
governments the right to assess special taxes for clean energy programs and restore the
promise of PACE.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of
this adopted resolution to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Oakland County's delegation to the
state legislature, Michigan's congressional delegation, the Michigan Association of Counties, the
National Association of Counties, and Oakland County's legislative lobbyists.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Commissioner Jim Nash
District #15
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Resolution #10265 October 6, 2010
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.