A slew of legislative committees are scheduled to meet today. Three, in particular, will be hearing so-called “green” bills that largely focus on nonpolluting energy sources. This morning, the House Commerce Committee is expected to grant swift passage to House Resolution 104 by Rep. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, which calls for the state to develop an official “green energy policy.” Barrow says the goal of the study will be to “develop and negotiate opportunities to help transform the state of Louisiana into the greenest and healthiest in the country.” The House Ways and Means Committee will also hear Senate Bill 26 by Sen. Nick Gautreaux, D-Abbeville, which would create special tax credits for vehicles running on compressed natural gas.
Later this afternoon, the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee is expected to take up another trio of green bills, including House Bill 858 by Rep. Erich E. Ponti, R-Baton Rouge, which expands the tax credit homeowners can receive for installing wind and solar systems. House Bill 733 by Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, would authorize a brand new tax credit for certain “green job industries.” House Bill 192 by Rep. Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans, would reduce the severance taxes levied on producers and oilmen who use carbon dioxide—that’s CO2 that would otherwise drift into the atmosphere—for oil recovery projects. More information on all of these bills can be found at legis.state.la.us.—Jeremy Alford
